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LAFC vs. Austin FC Betting Preview — MLS Regular Season
Two playoff-bound Western Conference clubs will square off at Q2 Stadium on Sunday night, as Los Angeles FC (17-7-8, 59 points) visit Austin FC (12-12-8, 44 points) in a late-season matchup that doubles as a postseason tune-up. Kickoff is set for 8:30 PM ET on MLS Season Pass (Apple TV).
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LAFC ride into this fixture on a six-match winning streak, sitting just one point behind San Diego FC and Vancouver for the top seed in the Western Conference. However, they’ll once again be without their two biggest stars — Denis Bouanga (Gabon) and Son Heung-Min (South Korea) — both still on international duty.
Austin, meanwhile, are trying to steady themselves after three straight losses across all competitions, including a heartbreaking 2-1 U.S. Open Cup final defeat to Nashville SC earlier this month. Still, the Verde & Black remain in playoff position, sixth in the West, and need points to avoid falling into the dreaded wild-card play-in.
Match Information
| Sport: | Soccer (MLS) |
|---|---|
| Teams: | Los Angeles FC vs. Austin FC |
| Venue: | Q2 Stadium, Austin, TX |
| Date: | Sunday, October 12, 2025 |
| Kickoff: | 8:30 PM ET |
| Broadcast: | MLS Season Pass (Apple TV) |
| Betting Odds: | LAFC Moneyline +112, Austin FC Moneyline +215, Draw +250, Over/Under 2.5 Goals (O: -130 / U: +110) |
Team Breakdown
Los Angeles FC Can Win If…
Steve Cherundolo’s squad continues to thrive despite rotating personnel. Wednesday’s 2–0 win over Toronto FC showcased the team’s depth, with Jeremy Ebobisse and Frankie Amaya stepping up in the absence of Bouanga and Son.
LAFC boast the best away defense in MLS, conceding just 19 goals in 16 matches. Keeper Maxime Crépeau has posted three clean sheets in his last four appearances, while midfielders Timothy Tillman and Eduard Atuesta have anchored possession effectively.
However, Bouanga’s absence looms large — the Golden Boot co-leader (24 goals) has been responsible for over 40% of LAFC’s scoring output this season.
Austin FC Can Win If…
For Nico Estévez’s Austin side, this is as much about momentum as positioning. The club’s attack has sputtered without Myrto Uzuni (Albania), who leads the team with 14 goals.
Austin’s defense has allowed eight goals in its last three matches, struggling to contain top-tier opponents. Yet at home, their energy and pressing can tilt the field — they average 1.8 goals per game at Q2 Stadium.
Estévez insists his team’s playoff spot is well-earned:
“I don’t understand the narrative that we haven’t earned it. We did our job and the other teams didn’t. This is a whole-season project.”
Injuries and Conditions
| Team | Injuries / Absences |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles FC | Denis Bouanga (International Duty – Gabon), Son Heung-Min (International Duty – South Korea), Diego Palacios (Knee – Questionable) |
| Austin FC | Myrto Uzuni (International Duty – Albania), Jhojan Valencia (Hamstring – Out), Julio Cascante (Groin – Day-to-Day) |
| Weather Forecast | Warm evening, light breeze, temperatures in the low 80s°F — ideal conditions for open play. |
Key Stats
- LAFC: 6 straight wins; 13-2-1 when scoring first.
- Austin FC: 3 straight losses; 6-1-3 when leading at halftime.
- Head-to-Head: LAFC lead all-time series 5-2-1.
- BTTS (“Both Teams To Score”) has hit in 7 of the last 9 meetings.
Best Bets and Prediction
- Moneyline Pick: Los Angeles FC (+112) — Even without Bouanga and Son, LAFC’s depth and defensive stability make them the sharper side.
- Total Goals: Over 2.5 (-130) — Both teams play open, transition-heavy soccer. Expect goals at both ends.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes (-145) — 7 of the last 9 meetings have featured goals from both sides.
- Projected Score: LAFC 2, Austin FC 1
ScoresAndStats Handicappers and Picks
The ScoresAndStats Handicappers Leaderboard showcases top soccer analysts with verified ROI on MLS plays. Handicappers are emphasizing LAFC’s 6-game win streak, Austin’s fatigue, and the Over 2.5 goals trend as top betting angles.
Over on the Service Plays Board, premium models lean toward LAFC Draw No Bet (-130) as the safest value pick, citing their +0.95 xG differential even without key scorers.
Whether you’re betting MLS sides, live totals, or prop markets, ScoresAndStats gives you the verified data, expert picks, and betting trends to stay profitable through the postseason.
Play smart. Follow trends. Win more.
