Leagues Cup Picks and Predictions (8/5): Last Round of Phase One Matches Begin

The final matches of Phase One of the 2025 Leagues Cup begin tonight, and it will be the last chance for teams to add points to the table. The top four from each side of the table (MLS and Liga MX) will advance to the quarterfinals. Teams have earned three points for a win, one for a draw in 90 minutes, and none for a regulation loss in traditional tournament format. However, if tied after 90 minutes, teams have gone directly into a PK shootout, giving the winner an extra point for the match.

So far, here is our Leagues Cup record.

• Leagues Cup YTD
• 7-7 (50%)
• +0.82u
• Avg Odds: +117

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Leagues Cup: Tuesday’s Predictions August 5

Let’s take a peek at the table.

Going into the final matches on the MLS table, both the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers have six points each with two outright wins. The Sounders have the nod on goal differential by three. Inter Miami is next up with five points, while there are six other teams tied at four points a piece. As things currently stand, Minnesota United would advance, after tying with the LA Galaxy on goal differential, but advancing on goals scored. But things could still change over the next few days.

As for the Liga MX side, Tigres UANL stands alone with six points at the top of the table. They are followed by four teams all tied at five points a piece (FC Juarez, Mazatlán FC, Toluca and Pumas UNAM). After that, two more have four points and are still in the hunt for the top four spots.

Clubs must make the most of these final matches, so look for teams to be extra aggressive to bump up those goal differential/goals scored numbers, which will almost certainly come into play when the dust settles.

Houston Dynamo vs. Pachuca: Leagues Cup Picks

Best Bet: Pachuca ML (-102) BetOnline

Now, to be honest, I don’t hate Pachuca Team Total Over 1.5 (-118) as well, as I see them netting at least two goals. However, I think that’s all it should take to win this match, making me lean towards the standard ML for much less juice.

Pachuca is 3-0-0 in Liga MX play so far this season, netting seven goals in those contests. So far in the Leagues Cup, they’ve scored four total goals, but lost to LAFC in a PK shootout last match. They still have four points on the table, but they desperately need a win in order to put themselves in a position to advance.

Three points is crucial, but they should be able to pick it up against the Dynamo, who have been outscored 6-1 in two matches in this tournament. They are 0-1-4 in their last five matches overall, giving up 11 goals while only netting two of their own.

Tonight, Pachuca rolls and puts Houston out of their misery.

Prediction: Pachuca Wins 2-0 (+900)

Tigres UANL vs. LAFC: Leagues Cup Picks

Best Bet: Tigres UANL ML (+142) BetOnline

Why would we change anything? We’ve backed this team twice, they’ve come through, so let’s do it again.

They haven’t locked up the top seed on the Liga MX table, and in theory, they could drop out of a top four position with a loss or a draw (or even a PK shootout win). The point is, there is no reason to take their foot off the gas.

They’ve netted six goals in two matches this tournament, and while LAFC has been involved in two 1-1 draws, I see them giving up several chances tonight. Despite being at home, LAFC has struggled against tougher opponents at BMO Stadium, getting shutout by both the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps.

Tigres are on a roll right now, and I don’t see it stopping. You could pay some juice for the draw no bet line, but I see Tigres solidifying the top spot on the Liga MX Leagues Cup table with a win in 90 minutes tonight.

Prediction: Tigres UANL Win 2-0 (+1100)

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