Soccer Predictions Forge FC vs Chivas Guadalajara, Picks and Odds

The CONCACAF Champions League kicks off its season this week, featuring a matchup between a Canadian team and a Mexican side. Specifically, we’re talking about the showdown between Forge FC and Chivas Guadalajara, set to take place on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 8:00 pm (ET) at Tim Hortons Field stadium. Here on this page, we’ll provide betting tips and predictions based on odds that we believe hold value in the betting market.

Forge enters this match without having played an official game yet in 2024, and they face an extremely tough challenge right off the bat against a team from the Mexican league, which boasts a higher level of technical skill compared to the Canadian Premier League.

Forge will make their debut in the national league only in April. Last season, they were crowned champions of the CPL, defeating Cavalry. However, the team has experienced international tournaments, having reached the semifinals of the Concacaf League where they were eliminated in the semifinal by Motagua, a Honduran club, after two draws, 0-0 and 2-2, falling on the away goals rule. About two years ago, Forge also competed in the early stages of the CONCACAF Champions League but was knocked out by Cruz Azul, another Mexican team.

Now, still warming up for this season, the team is also assembling its squad for a potentially busier schedule than usual. Recently, under the guidance of coach Bobby Smyrniotis, Forge announced the signing of Ghanaian forward Nana Opoku Ampomah, who has previously played in European soccer, including a stint in the Bundesliga with Fortuna Düsseldorf, where he made 12 appearances, scoring five goals and providing one assist. Another standout in Forge’s squad is Canadian midfielder Tristan Borges, who is a key player for the team.

Super Bowl LVIII Predictions 2024 – MVP and Props

Super Bowl  LVIII: Betting

On the other side of this first-leg match, the visitors Guadalajara are in the midst of a heated season, currently competing in the Clausura tournament of Liga MX, the closing phase of the championship.

Guadalajara played their last match on the 4th of this month, securing an away victory against A. San Luis in the fifth round of the Clausura, marking their second consecutive win. Managed by coach Fernando Gago, Chivas Guadalajara recently announced the return of Mexican international soccer star Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and also brought in American forward Cade Cowell, formerly of MLS and San Jose. Cowell is still adapting to Mexican soccer.

Currently, Guadalajara occupies the 8th position in the Liga MX table, with a record of 2W-2D-1L in their last five matches. According to the sports portal covering Chivas Guadalajara, for the debut in the 2024 Concacaf Champions League, in this first away game in Canada, some key players for Guadalajara will be rested. Players such as Víctor Guzmán, R. Alvarado, Gilberto Orozco, and Erick Gutiérrez will be sidelined as Guadalajara prepares for their upcoming league match on the 10th before the return leg against Forge in the Concacaf Champions League.

Forge FC vs Chivas Guadalajara: Predictions and Betting Tips

Analyzing the odds in the betting market, the Canadian home team is a significant underdog, with Forge FC priced at +600 to win the match at bet365. It’s noteworthy that Forge has such high betting odds, given their lack of official matches this season and their opponent being a well-established Mexican team like Chivas, who are currently priced at -303 for the outright win at bet365.

The oddsmakers for this game seem to consider it as an extremely one-sided affair. Additionally, the OVER/UNDER line is set for a high-scoring game, with the main line set at Over 3 goals with odds of -139 at bet365.

My betting recommendation here will be to steer clear of the match odds markets. Given it’s the first game, uncertainties remain about how seriously Chivas will approach this trip to Canada, especially with key players being rested. There are factors to consider before diving into a bet. Despite this, Chivas holds a slight advantage if you’re considering a 1×2 bet in this match.

However, my betting tip will focus on an alternative goals line I found at bet365 for the halftime market. I expect the second half of the game not to be as intense in the closing stages. The line for Total Goals in the 2nd Half has odds of -303 on Under 2.5 goals, meaning the bet is only lost if there are three goals scored in the second half. While this might not yield significant returns depending on your stake, it can be used in accumulators or multiples on your bet slip.

• Prediction: 2nd Half Goals – Under 2.5 odds -303

Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter):  ThePicks