MLS and Liga MX have paused domestic competition for the Leagues Cup, running from July 26 to August 25.
All 47 teams from the two leagues start group play on July 26, a process that will yield a 32-team bracket, leading to the Leagues Cup Final on August 25.
Inter Miami and Lionel Messi are the defending champions.
As group play gets underway this weekend, let’s look at how the process works and which early matches should draw your sports betting attention.
Top Weekend Matches from the Leagues Cup | Soccer Odds
Philadelphia Union +112 vs Charlotte FC +220
Saturday, July 27, 7:00 pm ET
The Union host this group-play showdown on the momentum of a 3-0 shellacking of Nashville SC in MLS play on Sunday.
Daniel Gazdag posted a brace before the intermission and then finished his hat trick just before the end of regulation.
The Union still have a lot of work to do in league play as they are now just in 10th place in the MLS Eastern Conference, but they are just a point out of the playoffs.
They’re warming up at the right time, though; in a stretch that ran from April to early July, they played nine games at home without winning a single one.
However, in their last two home games, they have won by a combined score of 8-1.
Charlotte’s last game came down in Texas as they played Austin FC to a 2-2 draw.
The visitors fell behind early but got tallies from Karol Swiderski and Iuri Tavares before giving up the equalizer to Jon Gallagher.
Charlotte occupy sixth place in the MLS East and have only lost one of their last six road games.
In their last six meetings, these teams have each won two and drawn the other two.
Leagues Cup Pick: Philadelphia to win.
^Inter Miami -182 vs Puebla +440
Saturday, July 27, 7:00 pm ET
Inter come into this match on a two-match winning streak in MLS play, including a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire last weekend.
La Franja have a three-match winless streak in Liga MX play, including a 2-1 loss to Atlas in their most recent match.
During the 2024 Apertura, Puebla have made a habit of scoring late, with three of their five goals in this part of the season coming after the 85th minute and two coming during stoppage time.
They have four points in four fixtures but have already slid to 12th on the table. One of Puebla’s problems is a lack of defense – they have conceded eight goals in four matches, tied for second-most.
They lost in the Leagues Cup group stage last year, falling 4-0 to Minnesota United and drawing the Chicago Fire, 1-1, in a match that they led until very late.
They have not beaten an MLS team in 90 minutes in the United States since 2010, when they beat Chivas USA, 2-1, in the North American SuperLiga tournament.
Inter Miami, have dominated MLS this year, leading FC Cincinnati for the Supporters’ Shield in the MLS standings by five points. They are tops in MLS in goals (56).
Some of their wins have involved bracing comebacks, but they have only trailed during one of their last six MLS matches, which was a 6-1 rout at the hands of Cincinnati.
In their last four home matches, they have three wins and a draw (3-3 against St. Louis City).
Inter Miami won their two group matches last year by a 6-1 combined total and are still unbeaten in Leagues Cup play.
Leagues Cup Pick: Inter Miami to win.
^Group Stage
This stage consists of 15 groups with three teams each. The other two teams, the MLS Cup and Liga MX winners, receive automatic byes into the Round of 32.
In this case, those teams are the Columbus Crew (MLS Cup winners) and Club America (winners of Liga MX based on combined points accumulated during the Clausura and Apertura seasons).
Teams were placed into three tiers based on their points from the last 34 regular-season games in 2023. One team from each tier was put into every group.
The top two teams from each group will join Columbus and Club America in the Round of 32.
^Betting Leagues Cup Top 5 Teams to Win the Tournament
- America +800
- Inter Miami +900
- Cruz Azul +1200
- Columbus Crew +1200
- Los Angeles FC +1200
This #PLAYSoftheWeek… ⚡️✨🤩#LeaguesCup2024 kicks off tomorrow ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/pbuxNQRpYY
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) July 26, 2024
CONCACAF Cup Leagues 2024 Odds to Win
Bet Soccer Lines
Leagues Cup Betting Odds for Match Day 1
Love betting Soccer? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date Soccer lines for All Matchups
