The North American Leagues Cup kicks off this week, and there are several exciting fixtures with the potential for plenty of goals.
Here are our five goalscorer picks for this week’s action.
? CONFIRMED: Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovi? will be for the vacant IBF World Heavyweight Championship! ?? pic.twitter.com/OL6gGzPtzc
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) August 4, 2026
Nicolas Mercau vs Santos Laguna
New York City settled for a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC at the weekend to make it three games unbeaten since the resumption of the MLS. This midweek, they will turn their attention to the Leagues Cup, where they face Mexican side Santos Laguna.
Laguna are on a four-game losing streak, and the odds are firmly stacked against them, especially with New York possessing one of the most in-form players in North America at the moment in Nicolas Mercau.
Key Stat: New York City FC’s Nicolas Fernandez Mercau has scored 4 goals in his last 4 games.
Pick: Mercau to score anytime @2.20
Kevin Denkey vs Pachuca
Cincinnati came out on top in an exciting 4-2 clash against San Jose Earthquakes at the weekend and will be full of confidence ahead of their Leagues Cup clash against Pachuca.
The hosts have scored goals for fun this season, hitting 31 goals in their last 10 games. Regardless of the result, you are almost guaranteed an avalanche of goals whenever Cincinnati take the field.
One man who has provided much of the attacking spark is Togolese striker Kevin Denkey. The 25-year-old has been on fire all season and will be an excellent goalscorer bet in a game that should have plenty of goals.
Key Stat: Kevin Denkey has scored 9 goals in his last 10 games for Cincinnati.
Pick: Denkey to score anytime @2.20
Lionel Messi vs Atletico San Luis
Inter Miami are heavy favourites in their opening Leagues Cup game against Atletico San Luis, and there should be plenty of goals in this one.
The hosts will be keen to reclaim the trophy they won back in 2023, after being dismantled by Seattle Sounders in the final last year.
Miami have scored 23 goals in their last 10 games, and the return of Lionel Messi puts them in an even stronger position to record a big win.
Key Stat: Lionel Messi has 15 goals in his last 15 games for club and country.
Pick: Messi to score anytime @1.45
Sam Surridge vs Leon
Nashville take on Mexican side Leon in their Leagues Cup opener, looking to return to winning ways after playing out a 2-2 draw against DC United at the weekend.
The hosts lost 1-0 to Orlando City before the weekend’s draw but had won five straight games leading up to that point, which suggests they can turn it on when needed.
Leon are underdogs here and have kept just one clean sheet in their last 8 games, making a goal-fest very likely.
Key Stat: Nashville striker Sam Surridge is back in form after an injury spell and has 3 goal contributions in his last 4 games.
Pick: Surridge to score anytime @1.80
Denis Bouanga vs Guadalajara
One of the standout matches of the opening round of the Leagues Cup features Los Angeles hosting Mexican side Guadalajara. Los Angeles may be favourites on paper, but this is a game that could easily go either way.
The hosts were eliminated in the group stages last year, winning just one of their three group games, and will be desperate for a much better performance this time.
That said, LAFC have scored 14 goals in their last 5 games (W4, D1) and have lost just once at home since April.
Key Stat: LAFC striker Denis Bouanga has 6 goal contributions in his last 6 games.
Pick: Bouanga to score anytime @2.15
Total Odds – 28.52
Booking Code – 5M32R2B
