US Open Cup betting tips: Nothing to separate RSL and LA Galaxy, Inter Miami could struggle
- George Dempsey
- 6 June 2023
Birmingham Legion will hope to hit the headlines by upsetting Inter Miami in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup quarter-finals.
The second night of US Open Cup action sees USL side Birmingham Legion host Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake meet LA Galaxy for the second time in four days.
Schedule, date and time
Birmingham Legion vs Inter Miami, Thursday, June 8, 01:00 (BST) / Wednesday, June 7, 20:00 (ET)
Real Salt Lake vs LA Galaxy, Thursday, June 8, 02:30 (BST) / Wednesday, June 7, 21:30 (ET)
Predicted scores
Suggested bets
Birmingham Legion to win
Legion vs Miami: Over 2.5 goals
Real Salt Lake vs LA Galaxy: Draw
Lamar Hunt US Open Cup verdict
Inter Miami are still looking for their first win since sacking Phil Neville. They were beaten 2-1 by Wayne Rooney's DC United at the weekend.
The hosts were issued a red card in the 7th minute for a foul by Kamal Miller, perhaps summing up their recent lack of discipline.
Birmingham will be no pushover, but they are a lower-league side. On paper, this is a good opportunity for both sides to progress.
The Legion are dangerous in front of goal but they will give up a lot of chances, too. They've found the net 40 times in their last 18 home matches, scoring at least once in each of them.
They've also conceded in 14 of those which should offer goal shy Miami some hope. Despite scoring three in their last five MLS matches, Miami have registered five in three in this year's Open Cup.
They couldn't beat USL side Miami FC in 120 minutes earlier in the season and we think Birmingham are good enough to beat them, but it should be an open and entertaining game with both sides capable of scoring.
Over at Rio Tinto Stadium, Real Salt Lake will host LA Galaxy for the second time in four days. The Claret and Cobalt lost the league meeting at the weekend, 3-2.
Interestingly, RSL played out a 3-2 victory against Colorado Rapids prior to the last round of the US Open Cup, before beating the Rapids 1-0 in the USOC days later.
The weekend clash was a game that LA were somewhat fortunate to win as there was little to split the teams. RSL produced the better xG on the night and led 2-1 until the 72nd minute.
They missed some big chances in the second half, most notably Damir Kreilach, and we don't think they'll lose back-to-back games against a struggling LA side.
Both sides are likely to make some changes but this is an important game and with neither of these sides likely to finish high up in the standings, the US Open Cup is their shot at securing Champions League football.
For that reason, we think it may take extra time and even penalties to separate the sides on the night.
