Leagues Cup has reached the Round of 16. Seattle vs Pumas gets things rolling as the standalone Monday night game late at night 10:30pm EST, before the other 7 knockout round games go down on Tuesday.
Of the final 16 teams, 10 are from MLS and 6 from LigaMX. Head-to-head when teams from opposing conference have met, MLS leads in regular time wins 15-9, shootout wins 7-6 and goals 52-40.
Read on for the top Leagues Cup predictions and picks and parlays for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Seattle Sounders vs Pumas UNAM Prediction
The last time they met, Seattle beat Pumas in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions Cup Final.
Pumas’ Leagues Cup campaign saw them lose to Austin 3-2 despite being up a player more most of the game. They then drew Monterrey 1-1 and went on to win in PKs. In the Round of 32 they shut out the Whitecaps in Vancouver 2-0.
It’s been a strong start in the Apertura for Pumas at 3-1-0, sitting 2nd, but tied overall in 1st with Cruz Azul and Tigres on 10 points.
They’ve scored 9 and conceded just 3 in their 4 games.
Go back further and Pumas has just 2 losses in 15 games now. They’ve scored in 12/14, scored multiple in 6/8, but conceded in 7/9 and BTTS is 6-2.
Seattle beat Minnesota 2-0 on MD1 but that was 0-0 until late and Minnesota took a red card. On MD2 they surprisingly lost 3-1 to Necaxa. Then eqaully surprising but in a positive light, they beat the Galaxy 3-1 and that game was 3-0 at the half with LA only scoring one late in the 83’.
Seattle now has just 4 losses in 22 games in all comps and just 2 losses in 12. Despite last game seeing goals from both teams and 4 goals, the BTTS is just 3-5 in recent Sounders games.
Seattle got the win without Pedro de la Vega who is again … injured… and likely out a few weeks.
This looks too close to call with two teams in good form so I’d say draw.
- Leagues Cup Predictions: Draw (+230)
Leagues Cup Picks and Parlays #1
Columbus Crew vs Inter Miami Prediction
This could be the match of the round between 1st Miami and 3rd Columbus, two top three Eastern Conference teams.
Miami got the win in their only meeting this season, 2-1 in June in Miami despite missing players.
Last season they drew 2-2 in Miami and Miami won 2-1 in Columbus. This game will also be in Ohio.
Playing without some of their stars didn’t matter in Game 1 of Leagues Cup for Miami as they beat Puebla 2-0. But on MD2 it wasn’t enough vs Tigres as they lost 2-1. Messi is still injured from Copa America but Suarez returned for the Round of 32 vs Toronto in what was a wild 4-3 win.
Miami opened the scoring to make it 1-0 and then 2-0. Then Insigne cut the lead to 2-1 with a PK goal for Toronto. TFC suffered a blow with Bernardeschi leaving injured, Miami added a third, then Toronto almost had another PK but it was called back and instead it was a red card to Miami’s CB David Martinez. Toronto would get another PK soon after anyways, again converted by Insigne to make it 3-2 and this all within the opening 40 minutes.
The second half wasn’t nearly as exciting but Miami scored a man down to make it 4-2, Toronto added a third late and the Herson advanced 4-3.
Jordi Alba had 4 assists and Matias Rojas a brace in this 7-goal thriller.
Looking back to that shutout of Puebla and that is Miami’s only clean sheet in 13 games. The BTTS & Over 2.5 has gone 12-1 in that time.
The Crew are 6th in the Supporters’ Shield race, own the top defense in all of MLS, have only lost once at home and have only allowed 7 goals when playing at Lower.com Field.
It took a little time to get rolling in their first Leagues Cup game in the Round of 32 but when they did, they quickly brushed aside SKC with goals in the 44’, 57’, 77’ and 79’, including 2 from Diego Rossi and 1 each from brand new signings DeJuan Jones and Dylan Chambost.
Columbus maybe look a bit more like the complete team right now and will want some revenge from June’s loss. Miami’s defense continues to be a problem and new signing Martinez will miss out.
If I’m picking a winner, I’ll take Columbus at home, but the safer bet in any Miami game is usually goals.
So Columbus to win, or Columbus to score over 1.5, BTTS & Over 2.5 are all options or even the Crew to simply score in a parlay, or Crew double chance or draw not bet.
At +115 betting the Crew to score over 1.5 goals on its’ own could be a good bet.
They’re 6-1-1 in 9 outscoring opponents 26-5 in that time.
- Leagues Cup Predictions: Columbus over 1.5
FC Cincinnati vs Philadelphia Union Prediction
2nd in the East Cincy meets 10th in the East Philly.
They recently played in a wild 4-3 Cincy win in June in Cincy. Last season Cincy won 1-0 and 1-0 at home and they drew 2-2 in Philly.
Cincy lost 3-1, 1-0 and 3-1 entering Leagues Cup but they’ve bounced back with 1-0 and 4-2 wins over Queretaro and NYCFC in the Group Stage.
Even with Luciano Acosta back in the lineup, they did struggle to put away one of Mexico’s weakest teams in Santos Laguna, falling behind 1-0 and drawing 1-1 before winning in PKs.
They also needed to fight back from 2-0 down vs NYCFC the game prior. In fact, they’ve only led for 30/270 minutes this tournament.
Philly has struggled all season but had wins of 5-1, 3-0 and 1-0 going into their second Leagues Cup game vs Cruz Azul. There, they would draw 1-1 before losing in PKs. In the Round of 32 it was a 2-0 win over CF Montreal
So that makes them undefeated in regulation in 5 games. They’ve also scored in 8/9.
Cincy has been good all season but a bit off of late. Philly has been bad all season and a bit better of late. So maybe we see goals from both. At home you’d still have to expect Cincy to win and certainly score.
- Leagues Cup Predictions: Cincinnati to score
- Parlay Picks: CLB over 1.5 / CIN to score (+146)
Leagues Cup Picks and Parlays #2
Tigres vs NYCFC Prediction
Tigres beat Puebla 2-1 before also beating Miami 2-1 in this tournament. Then it was off to the Round of 32 where they struggled to break down Pachuca but eventually scored in the 65’ minute to win 1-0 and move on.
Tigres is off to a strong start at 3-1-0 undefeated and 3rd in the Apertura. This after a 1-0 win, 1-1 draw, 1-0 win and 3-0 win.
In all comps they have just 4 losses in 18 games and those have come to Club America, Monterrey, Columbus and Pachuca further back.
NYCFC drew Queretaro 0-0 and won in PKs and then coughed up a 2-0 lead to FC Cincinnati and lost 4-2. Into the Round of 32 and they drew again, this time with New England, 1-1 and went on to win in PKs.
So take out a PK win and they are lacking many regulation wins with 0 in 7.
While the Cincy loss is their only defeat in 6, it’s just 4 wins (and only 2 in reg) in the past 12 for the Pigeons.
Head-to-head, in the 2020 Champions Cup Tigres won 1-0 and 4-0.
NYCFC have not been anywhere near reliable enough to consider betting them to upset Tigres. In fact, at +145 Tigres could be great value on the moneyline win.
NYC do draw a lot of games so you could also look to Tigres draw no bet (-125) or double chance or to score in a parlay.
- Leagues Cup Predictions: Tigres double chance
Toluca vs Colorado Rapids Prediction
This is s rematch from last year where Toluca won 4-1 in the Group Stage.
This year Toluca beat Chicago 3-1 and SKC 2-1 in the Group Stage and were moments away from going out of the competition in the Round of 32 to Houston. They were down 2-1 and needed a 96-minute goal to pull level before winning in PKs. Their first goal also came from an own goal so it wasn’t a great Toluca performance.
Toluca are now on a streak of 8 games undefeated in all comps.
They’re scoring a ton with 14 goals in 6 games but have given up goals in 5/6 making BTTS 5-1.
Go further back and it’s only 3 losses and to the likes of Chivas, Cruz Azul and America in their last 20 games.
Colorado lost 4-0 to Portland, then were down 1-0 to Club Leon but fought back to level in the 97’ minute from Rafael Navarro and went on to win in PKs.
In the Round of 32 they fell behind 1-0, led 2-1, 3-1 and eventually won 3-2 to Juarez. Both teams had goals from PKs. They did allow Juarez to pile up the chances with 21 shot attempts and 10 on target to go with 65% possession.
I’d rather have Toluca for the win if I’m picking a winner but certainly BTTS or BTTS & OVer 2.5 bets are an option. The Rapids have allowed a goal in 10 straight and in 14/16, but they’ve also scored in 22/24 overall recent matches. The 2 times they didn’t were on the road. They’ll be at home here.
Additionally, 24/26 Rapids MLS games have seen 2+ goals, and so too have all 3 Leagues Cup games.
- Leagues Cup Predictions: Toluca to score
- Parlay Picks: TIG double chance / TOL to score (-118)
Leagues Cup Picks and Parlays #3
LAFC vs San Jose Earthquakes Prediction
2nd meets 14th here.
This season both have won at home, first San Jose 3-1 and then LA 6-2. LA will be the home team here.
Last year SJ won 2-1 at home, LA won 2-1 at home and they drew 1-1 in LA.
Other scores have been 2-1, 3-2, 3-1, 2-0, 2-1, 3-2, 2-1, 5-1, 4-0, 3-1, 5-0, 2-0 and 4-3 in the all-time scores.
It’s been a ton of goals both ways and no road team has won any of the past 11 meetings.
LAFC have been one of the top teams in MLS and all competitions all season. In Leagues Cup they beat Tijuana 3-0 before fighting back to draw Vancouver 2-2 before going on to lose in PKs. In the Round of 32 goals by Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera paced them to a 2-0 win over Austin.
They’re 15-2-2 in 19 overall matches and have scored multiple goals in 14/19. They’re doing this even without Olivier Giroud who has yet to play but is in the stadium and could play a part in any game now.
San Jose was leading Chivas 1-0 until the 98’ minute but went on to win in PKs. They were drawn 1-1 with the LA Galaxy before losing in the 89’. That was still enough to see them through to the Round of 32 where they thoroughly dismantled Necaxa 5-0. They piled up 4 goals within 35 minutes including a brace by Jeremy Ebobisse and while Necaxa took a red card in the 43’ minute the win was sealed way before that.
It was a rare clean sheet for the Quakes, something they’ve now done only 3 times in 30 overall matches. In their last 13 games, they’ve allowed multiple goals 8 times.
When it comes to wins and losses, they have 3 in 17 games, but only 2 in regulation. Win or lose, usually lose, there’s always goals in Quakes games, being 2+ in 13/15.
San Jose may be a bit improved but expecting them to knock off LAFC is a step too far. LAFC to win or score 2+ in a parlay or LAFC -1.5 on its’ own in the Leagues Cup picks.
- Leagues Cup Predictions: LAFC over 1.5
Club America vs St. Louis City SC Prediction
Club America won the 2023 Apertura and 2024 Clausura and then won the Campeon de Campeones.
Though this season in the Apertura they are 9th in the early stages at 2-0-2, scoring 6 and conceding 5.
America, is a little slow out of the gates. A loss to Tigres is not good but 1-0 to another top team is not terrible. A 2-1 loss to Atletico San Luis is a little concerning. Still they’re now 15-7-6 in their past 28 after starting their Leagues Cup campaign off with a 2-1 win over Atlas. It was a tight game that was 1-1 until the 73’, they did hold Atlas to just 1 shot on target.
St. Louis beat Dallas 2-1 and then drew Juarez 1-1 before losing in PKs. In the Round of 32 they had one of their best games of late beating one of MLS’s hottest teams Portland, 3-1.
Still, the Dallas and Portland wins, plus a win over Spoon Leaders San Jose further back are their only 3 wins in 17 games. But in regulation they are now undefeated in 4. But then the last 3 all came at home, the game before that was vs SKC.
St. Louis added two players in the transfer window, Cedric Teuchert and Marcel Hartel and both got on the scoresheet vs Dallas. They also brought back Simon Becher from Denmark and he got the goal vs Juarez. Then all 3 scored vs Portland.
If St. Louis wins here it’s because these new signings have transformed them and maybe they will rebound in the late stages of the MLS season. But you can’t expect that to happen after only 2 games and against maybe the top team on the continent.
After all, America won 4-0 over St. Louis last season in the Leagues Cup and St. Louis were a better team them.
To note, America has hosting rights so this game will be played at Digity Health Sports Park in California and America will have a huge crowd advantage.
In their short existence, St. Louis has been abysmal on the road. In MLS they’re winless in 14 road games, have 1 win 20, 3 in 27 and just 5 all-time road wins.
You could be super safe and use America double chance in this parlay to bring it to -127, but an America loss would be a massive upset.
- Leagues Cup Predictions: Club America to win
- Parlay Picks: LAFC over 1.5 / Club America to win (+157)
Cruz Azul Union vs Mazatlan Prediction
This all-Mexican matchup pits 1st in the Apertura Cruz Azul vs 17th Mazatlan.
They did already meet in the short 4-game season with Cruz Azul winning 1-0. Previous meetings were 2-1 Azul, 2-2 and 3-1 Mazatlan last year.
Cruz Azul advanced after drawing Charlotte 0-0 and losing in PKs and then drawing Philadelphia 1-1 and winning on PKs. In the Round of 32 they again went to PKs drawn 0-0 with Orlando and winning 5-4 on spot kicks.
Cruz Azul are currently 1st in the Apertura at 3-1-0, scoring 9 and conceding just 1 goal.
Include all comps and win or lose they’ve scored in 14/17. They bring with them ex-Atlanta United striker Giorgos Giakoumakis who recently joined La Maquina.
Cruz Azul games have been stone-cold Unders of late this tournament at 0-0, 1-1 and 0-0. But further back Under 2.5 is 8-2.
Mazatlan lost to New England 1-0 and then beat Nashville 2-0.
That set up a Round of 32 clash with DC United where they won 2-1. They were aided by a 27’ minute red card though from DC before scoring their 2 goals and DC pulled one back late in the game down a man.
Mazatlan have collected 1 point and scored just 2 goals in their first 4 games in the Apertura. They’re 17th out of 18 teams in LigaMX.
Scorelines have read: 1-0 loss, 2-2 draw, 3-0 loss and 2-0 loss. Go back to last season and these last 2 wins are their only wins in 9 games. They have just the Nashville clean sheet as their only game they didn’t concede in that time too.
Mazatlan rarely keeps clean sheets only doing so only 4 times in 24 games.
This could be tight but then Mazatlan has been shut out in 5/8.
Under 2.5 or Cruz Azul win.
- Leagues Cup Predictions: Under 2.5
Ryan Métivier is a seasoned editor, writer and communications professional with years of experience in all fields. When it comes to covering sports, he’s written for numerous outlets and organizations including the OHL, CHL, SportsXpress, Sports Betting Dime, Cleveland.com, MassLive, FanSided and others.
While he’ll always cheer for his hometown Toronto teams, when it comes to betting, his only allegiance is his bankroll. Ryan specializes in global soccer, the NFL and the NHL, but if there is a bet to be made, he’ll make it. As the founder of Shred The Spread, Ryan focuses on combining storylines, trends, analytics and good bankroll management to creating simple bets that make sense.
When not making a case for why both teams will score in an MLS soccer match, he can be found focusing his efforts on fitness, attempting to learn Spanish, cooking or planning his travel adventure.
