Weekly MLS Pick: Chivas USA Vs. LA Galaxy

MLS Soccer Predictions – Chivas vs Galaxy – THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2010 

The MLS began its 15th season this year and we’ve finally decided it’s time to give this league some handicapping love and provide some free SOCCER gambling analysis every week.

Our soccer articles will you give you the inside scoop on comprehensive coverage of all MAJOR tournaments in all countries around the world, as well as here in North America (The MLS).

Why you ask??? Well it’s simple. We openly admit to not being soccer betting experts here, but we do admit to loving the sport. And we figure our readers do to, based on our Soccer handicapping forums, and survey responses we’ve conducted on our soccer betting blog. 

Onto the week’s MLS preview and prediction for the week. 

MLS Betting Odds – Chivas USA vs LA Galaxy:

Chivas USA: (0-1-0) +275

Los Angeles Galaxy: (1-0-0) -110

Draw: +230

The Los Angeles Galaxy will host bitter rivals Chivas USA as the two squads do battle for the first time this season in Thursday night’s El Clasico at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Head coach Bruce Arena’s squad opened the 2010 MLS season with a 1-0 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday. Edson Buddle scored the match’s lone goal at the sixth minute mark when he converted a six-yard diving header off Landon Donovan’s 32-yard free kick. Donovan returned from a 10-week loan to Everton in England’s Premier League on March 15 and shows no signs of fatigue.

The Galaxy picked up right where they left off last season, with one of the league’s stingiest defenses. The Galaxy had seven shots on goal in the first half, but was blanked in the second. Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was never really challenged and needed to make just one save against New England. Los Angeles received a blow early on in the game when midfielder Eddie Lewis left the game in the 26th minute with a left foot contusion after a late challenge from New England’s Kevin Alston. 

Meanwhile, Chivas USA coach Martin Vasquez began his first season as boss with a 1-0 loss against the Colorado Rapids in the Goats season opener on Friday. Chivas’ defense held Colorado to just a single shot on goal. Unfortunately that lone shot resulted in the games only goal when the Rapid’s Omar Cummings tucked it inside the near post at the 55-minute mark.

For the moment, it appears that Chivas’ offensive woes from last season are still looming as the squad struggled to find the back of the oppositions net. Goats’ newcomer Michael Umaña was Chivas USA’s best player on the night, which is promising for a team in the midst of trying to send more players forward in the attack.

This match up will be the latest in a series of tough matchups, both teams boast high quality center back tandems.

Edson Buddle and Maykel Galindo will have long nights if their midfielders cannot offer better service than they did in their season debuts.

I expect the Galaxy to take this on 2-1 over the Goats.

Landon Donovan will be a little less charitable and start taking the shots as he records his first goal of the season.

There you have it, this week’s Chivas vs. Galaxy MLS rundown.

Watch for more of my soccer betting odds, soccer predictions and tips at the Cappers Picks Soccer Handicapping Blog.