Austin FC vs. LAFC 8/26/22 - Major League Soccer Picks & Predictions

Austin FC hosts LAFC on Friday in a MLS Western Conference fixture between the top two clubs in the conference. Austin is second in the conference table at 14-6-6 on 48 points with a goal difference of +19. Austin was defeated on the road 2-1 by Minnesota United last Saturday. Sebastian Driussi scored an equalizer for Austin late in the first half but the Texas-based club gave up a winner to Minnesota in the second half.

Austin has had high scoring matches at home of late with 20 goals being scored in the last three, with 10 goals scored and 10 conceded. Austin is the second club in the history of the MLS to score and allow three goals or more in three consecutive matches at home. Sebastian Driussi is the leading goal scorer for Austin with 18 and Diego Fagundez is the leader in assists with nine.

LAFC sits at the top of the conference table at 18-3-5 on 57 points with a goal difference of +29. LAFC is an impressive nine points clear of second-place Austin. LAFC was defeated on the road by San Jose 2-1 last Saturday. Kwadwo Opoku scored an equalizer for LAFC in the 54th minute but LAFC’s backline and keeper gave up the winner to San Jose in the 77th minute.

LAFC remains on pace to set the all time MLS points record despite losing last Saturday. LAFC has 57 points through its first 26 matches and has one more point through 26 matches than New England last season when the Revs broke the MLS points mark. Cristian Arango is the leading goal scorer for LAFC with 12 and Carlos Vela has scored eight. Vela is the leader in assists with seven.