MLS > August 2016

[Xcout]

Thread for MLS picks

Edited August 19, 2016 by Xcout

[Xcout]

San Jose Earthquakes

Last match the team won on away for the first time this season, stronger at home than on away, the team is near the qualification spots for playoffs, just trailing by one point. Previous to that match, the team got a scoreless draw at home against New York City (leader of Eastern Conference). Undefeated for five matches. 

In their last five matches at home, they have just been able to win once, but they have encounter powerful teams, as LA Galaxy and FC Dallas, quite the opposite is Houston Dynamo. 

Great defending as they have held opponents to no more than goal in 18 of their 23 matches, 12 of the last 13. 

Houston Dynamo
Winless on away, the team has 12 matches without a victory, only three draws. In 23 matches the team has been able to win only 4 times, mostly collecting defeats and draws. With intern coach Wade Barrett the team has now a streak of six games winless since their first victory with home. 

To their benefit is that their defence has been with irregular performance as they have allowed only one goal in the last three matches, their attack needs to improve; since June 26 the team has not allowed more than one goal. The same not being able to score more than one. 

FW Erick Torres return from Olympics and will be available to the team, which could provide a boost for the team. He should continue to come from the bench.

Suspended:

MF Abdoulie Mansally 

Match
Good defending lately from both teams, I expect a close match, with few goals. 

Prediction
San Jose has been performing better than Houston and their good form should continue for some matches.

 

San Jose 6 units @1.76 at Sportingbet

San Jose 1-2 Houston Dynamo

Edited August 20, 2016 by Xcout
Result

[StevieDay1983]

Odds provided by bet365.

Any more MLS fans out there asides from @Xcout? Great preview by the way mate. What are you thinking for Thursday's games?

[Xcout]

For Thursday's games as a quick thought, consider home stats for locals and away stats for away teams:

Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union - Columbus draw their home matches more than any other result, meanwhile Philadelphia losses them. Therefore, draw seems the most likely.

Montreal Impact vs DC United - Good home team versus a team that on away has just won one match, still draw more then loss, therefore Home win or Draw.

Orlando City vs Toronto FC - Only on defeat on home for Orlando, Toronto mixed results, leaning towards home win.

Chicago Fire vs LA Galaxy - Mixed results for both, could go either way.

Houston Dynamo vs Seattle Sounders - home team draws more than win or loss, meanwhile Seattle losses more than anything. I would prefer to stay away, but could be a home win.

San Jose vs New England - San Jose looks could take a win, still last home match loss against a team that have not won on away the whole season (with 9 away defeats), New England also losses a lot on the road, but San Jose doesn't still the confidence needed. I would stay away.

[gogetta]

Montreal Impact vs DC United

DC is not lacking motivation for this game; it is desperately clinging to the last play-off spot in the Eastern conference and seeks to breathe easier by putting a 3-point cushion ahead of Orlando, while reducing the 5-point difference with the conference rivals directly ahead (the hosts). DC also has the better form at the moment; unbeaten in the last four matches and scoring 6 goals in the last three. The recently signed offensive players Mullins and Lloyd Sam have added spark to the team's attack. Additionally, DC has not done too badly in recent head-to-head meetings with the hosts. But the team is also conceding.

The hosts come from losing two games in a row, conceding three goals in each while scoring only one goal in both. Montreal have struggled defensively for much of the season, especially vulnerable when opponents counter-attack. In the latest 3-0 home loss to Chicago (Sunday); the defence, midfield and attack all struggled. And this comes before the team faces three games in the next eight days, including the important Canadian derby away to Toronto on Sunday!

The hosts are expected to react in this match but they are more likely to score a goal than to solve all their defensive issues in three days. The desperate but in-form visitors may seize their chance and get a result. I expect a tentative start to this game but fireworks to follow once the first goal is scored. BTTS  and Over 2.5 goals.

[gogetta]

Match ended: Montreal 1-1 DC Utd. In the midst of a stretch of three games in six days, DC coach opted to make 7 changes to the starting team! Montreal also rested two starters. But this did not really change the complexion of the game; the visitors scored a penalty in the 39th minute, setting the stage for a hectic second half and visitor's GK Bill Hamid saved the point for them.

 

[StevieDay1983]

Four of the six matches ending in score draws. Wow. Good call on the Montreal game ending in a draw Xcout.

Things starting to tighten up now as the season closes in on the play-offs phase. 

[Sir Puntalot]

I use the ratings to bet on MLS, which are the tips that go up here at the moment https://www.punterslounge.com/betting-tips/football

Ratings tipped up Philadelphia @ 4.20 and Under 2.5 Houston v Seattle last night so a decent result, and well worth keeping an eye on.  

Ratings are here https://www.punterslounge.com/football/ratings/usa-major-league-soccer