MLS Predictions > Jun 30th - Jul 3rd

[StevieDay1983]

[StevieDay1983]

Check out the odds and ratings for the next round of matches in the regular season of the MLS. It's set to be a hectic schedule with games continuing over the course of the next week or so but tell us your predictions for these games here! 

[StevieDay1983]

FC Cincinnati vs New York City FC

The MLS brings us more games over the course of this week with the action kicking off on Thursday morning at 12:30am BST when FC Cincinnati host New York City FC at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. These two franchises have their sights firmly set on the play-offs this season but how will the former Supporters' Shield front runners cope with life after Ronny Deila? It's not been great so far but can they pick up a win against a home team coming into this off the back of a big win.

FC Cincinnati are buzzing after their 1-0 home win against Orlando City SC last time out. That victory has left the Wooden Spoons in 7th place and 2 points inside the Eastern Conference play-offs with a game in hand on teams above them. Head coach Pat Noonan has seen his team lose just 2 of their last 8 regular season matches so you can feel the confidence is building. The fact the team have now already won a club record 7 regular season games means that the sky is the limit for these players that will go down in the team's history books. Two wins from their last three home games also shows they are a team that are managing to deliver the big points at home.

New York City FC know that this is a pivotal point in their season. Former head coach Deila had led the team to the top spot in the overall standings before his gut-wrenching departure to Belgian First Division A club Standard Liege earlier this month. Interim head coach Nick Cushing has struggled to continue the fine work set by Deila. It can be argued that the 2-1 loss away to Philadelphia Union was hard luck. Valentin Castellanos appeared to have rescued a point from the penalty spot in the last minute of the game only for Union's Cory Burke to score a winner in the 6th minute of injury-time. The Pigeons are now down to 2nd in the Eastern Conference and, thanks to their 3-0 loss to New York Red Bulls in the US Open Cup Quarter-Finals, are now without a win in 3 matches in all competitions.

I am genuinely concerned with the direction New York City FC will go in after the departure of Deila. Cushing might not necessarily be the wrong contender to replace him but it's clear he'll need time at the very least. FC Cincinnati are not the sort of team you want to take a fragile team unit to. It's interesting to read that Castellanos has scored 3 goals on his last two trips to Cincinnati so after his goal last week I can see him being worth backing for anytime scorer but I'm not sure City will get the win. Still, I'll have to see more from them under Cushing before I believe they won't win games like this.

New York City FC to Win @ 2.01 with VBet

Anytime Scorer: Valentin Castellanos @ 1.90 with Bet365

[StevieDay1983]

Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew

The second preview from this batch of MLS games is the 12:30am BST kick-off on Thursday morning between Eastern Conference rivals Toronto FC and Columbus Crew from the BMO Field in Toronto. Neither team has set the league alight this season but it's getting to the stage of the season where losing games like this could prove fatal for any hopes of qualifying for the play-offs.

Toronto FC are dragging themselves slowly away from the bottom of the Eastern Conference table but it's a slow slog. Head coach Bob Bradley has now witnessed his team lose just 1 of their last 4 regular season games to move up to 11th position in the table but they're still 5 points off the play-off pace. The Reds pulled off a satisfying 2-1 win at home to Atlanta United in their last game and that made it three home wins in a row across all competitions for the Canadian franchise. That win over Atlanta was further proof that this Toronto side are a force to be reckoned with on their own patch.

Columbus Crew know they face an epic challenge here. Caleb Porter's men are unbeaten in their last 3 regular season games but back-to-back draws against Charlotte FC at home and Real Salt Lake away have left the team down in 12th place and just 4 points off the bottom of the Eastern Conference table. The Black and Gold have now only managed 1 win in their last 6 matches. The encouraging news is that the team have only lost 1 of their last 5 regular season matches on the road. Just 2 goals conceded in the last 3 league games also shows that the defensive performances are improving. If your defence is keeping the goals conceded at less than 1 goal per game then you always have a chance. You just need the attackers to score at the other end.

These two teams are very finely matched in the league and this will be a tense affair. Toronto FC are hurting from their inconsistency but their home form is solid enough. Columbus Crew don't look like a team that can contemplate a play-off push unless their results improve over the next few weeks. I'm going to have to back a home win. I just think Toronto always seem to deliver positive displays at home and that'll be a problem for this Crew side that is making itself hard to beat but still looking off the mark in the final third.

Toronto FC to Win @ 2.56 with SBK

BTTS @ 1.66 with Bet365

[StevieDay1983]

Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Union

The next preview up from the MLS games this week is the 1am BST kick-off on Thursday morning between Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union at the Soldier Field in Chicago. It's an encounter between the bottom-placed side and the top ranked team in the Eastern Conference. Will we see the result follow the form book or could we witness a shock result here in this game?

Chicago Fire aren't having a season to remember at all and their woes continued with the 2-0 loss away to Houston Dynamo last week. That defeat made it 7 losses from the last 9 regular season games leaving the team sitting at the foot of the pile and 9 points adrift of the play-offs. Head coach Ezra Hendrickson will be especially disappointed with that loss because it feels like all the hard work that earned that narrow 1-0 win at home against DC United in the game before had all come undone. It's a desperately disappointing dip in form for a team that had experienced their best start to an MLS campaign since 2009. The Fire fans will be hoping that the team takes the last home performance from that DC United win into this game and can make it back-to-back home wins in the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia Union pulled off a cracking result in their 2-1 win at home against Supporters' Shield overall table leaders New York City FC last time out. Jim Curtin's team have stormed to the summit of the Eastern Conference thanks to that victory. The Union are now undefeated in their last 9 regular season matches and you'd be willing to back them against most teams right now. The team have only lost 1 of their 7 road games in the conference this season including being undefeated in their last 4 away matches in that competition. The fact the team has only conceded 3 goals in their last 5 league games is evidence that Curtin is building this team on the foundation of a solid back-line. It's also interesting to note that the team have opened the scoring in the opening 17 minutes of their matches in 3 of the last 4 league games so they come out of the blocks quick.

As if current form and league positioning wasn't enough to make you want to back a Philadelphia Union win over Chicago Fire then the fact that Union are unbeaten in the last 5 meetings should help. However, the Union have only managed to win 2 of their last 10 trips to the Windy City. I think they are looking very business-like right now and I'm backing them to get the win against a lacklustre Fire side. Mikael Uhre is also a decent shout for anytime scorer having bagged 3 goals in his last 4 appearances.

Philadelphia Union Draw No Bet @ 2.28 with Unibet

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.81 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Seattle Sounders vs CF Montreal

Two teams experiencing contrasting seasons but with differing expectations go head-to-head in this 3am BST kick-off on Thursday morning when Seattle Sounders play CF Montreal at Lumen Field. The home team have fallen short of meeting their high self demands so far this season but they look to continue their improved form against a visiting side that performing above expectations so far this season.

Seattle Sounders endured a poor start to the season and you can blame their CONCACAF Champions League progress for that. The Rave Green are bouncing back though with that continental title win under their belt undoubtedly boosting their morale and self belief. It's now 4 games unbeaten for the Sounders with 3 wins and a draw. That draw being against the talented group of Los Angeles FC as well. Head coach Brian Schmetzer will be pleased that his team are delivering at both ends of the pitch right now having scored 10 goals in their last 4 regular season games and two clean sheets kept in their last 3 league outings. The team is now up to 7th in the Western Conference with games in hand on the teams above them.

CF Montreal are enjoying a productive campaign so far with the Canadian franchise currently sat in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference and just 3 points off the summit but their regular season form has started to falter with just 2 wins in their last 5 league games. Manager Wilfried Nancy will be hoping that his team's 4-0 defeat at the hands of Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship Semi-Finals will not contribute to the wheels coming off their season. The 2-1 win at home against Charlotte FC suggested that's not looking the case but this is a big test for the team on the road. The last away game saw the team lose 2-1 to Nashville SC. but that was 6 weeks ago now.

This is set to be a fascinating clash between two teams that will feel they can win this game. Seattle Sounders have been rampant at home recently and they play a CF Montreal team that have faltered slightly lately but who have still won 8 of their last 12 league games. I really feel Sounders are hitting their stride now though and they could go storming through to the latter stages of the play-offs at this rate.

Seattle Sounders to Win @ 1.75 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.92 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

LA Galaxy vs Minnesota United

The Western Conference is the focus of attention for this next preview of the MLS games this week when LA Galaxy play Minnesota United in a 3:30am BST kick-off from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The home team are pushing on into the play-offs and will look to consolidate their place in the top 7 against an away side that have hit a losing streak at a bad time.

LA Galaxy come into this game in a solid 6th position in the Western Conference with Greg Vanney's men having won just 1 of their last 5 regular season games. The team will be satisfied with their 4-1 home win versus Austin FC and the 1-1 draw at home to Portland Timbers but they'll be disappointed that they couldn't play their Cali Clasico against San Jose Earthquakes due to a power cut. This is the fourth of five home games and the team will be looking to build on the 4 points earned from the three home games played so far. It is just 1 win from the last 4 home league games though so Carson is hardly the fortress the fans would have hoped it could be this season.

Minnesota United are struggling to stay in the chase for the play-offs at the wrong end of the Western Conference table. It's now 6 defeats from the last 8 regular season games for the Loons including lose their last 3 league games on the trot. That poor spell of results has left the team down in 12th place and only 3 points off the bottom of the standings. The 5-point gap between themselves and the play-offs now is a gap that feels it's likely to only get larger rather than smaller unless United's performances drastically improve. Head coach Adrian Heath will be desperately disappointed and despite the positive start he could find his job under pressure if he doesn't turn things around.

It's intriguing to see that LA Galaxy dominated this fixture when the teams first started playing each other having won 6 of the first 9 encounters but the Galaxy have failed to beat Minnesota United in each of the last three meetings. I think this one should be LA Galaxy's to lose but with Minnesota losing 4 of their last 6 losses by a single goal it might not be an easy task.

LA Galaxy to Win @ 1.80 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.60 with William Hill

[StevieDay1983]

Los Angeles FC vs FC Dallas

The penultimate game from the Thursday morning kick-offs is the 3:30am BST start between Los Angeles FC and FC Dallas at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. Both of these teams are thriving in the Western Conference right now and winning this game would be a huge boost to the morale and hopes of securing the Supporters' Shield but a defeat could hit those aspirations.

Los Angeles FC are still looking like the team to beat this season in the MLS with Steve Cherundolo's men top of the overall standings and 4 points clear ahead of 2nd placed Real Salt Lake. LAFC are unbeaten in 4 regular season games now including winning 3 of their last 4 matches. It's also been back-to-back victories at home in the league with 5 goals scored across those 180 minutes of action so the team are looking dangerous in attack on home turf. Forward Cristian Arango looks like the man to back for an anytime scorer goal with the Colombian front man scoring a goal in each of his last 3 appearances for the club.

FC Dallas will come into this game knowing that it's a major opportunity to take a big scalp in the Western Conference and improve their chances of pushing on up the Supporters' Shield standings. Head coach Nico Estevez has seen his team suffer a sticky patch of just 1 win from their last 5 regular season games but if they can pick up a surprise win on the road here then it will put them right back on track. The Burn head into this match off the back of letting a two goal lead slip in their 2-2 draw away to Austin FC in their Copa Tejas clash last weekend so it'll be interesting to see how the team reacts to that gut-wrenching dropping of 2 points. Paul Arriola is another pick for anytime scorer having bagged 8 goals in his last 8 games for both the US national team and Dallas.

It's all looking rosy for Los Angeles FC right now. The franchise are top of the overall standings and they're set to welcome the duo of Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale early next month. The team have also gone unbeaten in their last 4 meetings with FC Dallas. It's also now 34 games in a row that LAFC have scored at home and that's the 4th best streak of its kind. I can see another win coming for the Black and Gold here.

Los Angeles FC to Win @ 1.81 with SBK

Anytime Scorer: Cristian Arango @ 2.60 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Portland Timbers vs Houston Dynamo

The last of the Thursday morning kick-offs in the MLS comes our way at 3:30am BST when Portland Timbers play Houston Dynamo at Providence Park in Portland. The outcome of this match could have a big say on the fate of both of these teams and their play-off hopes. Both sides are right in the thick of the play-off scrap and with neither team in great form at the moment a loss could prove fatal.

Portland Timbers delivered a resounding 3-0 win at home to Colorado Rapids in their most recent regular season game but that was a first win in 5 matches for the Oregan-based franchise. Head coach Giovanni Savarese has led his team to 11th in the Western Conference and they are now 4 points off the pace of the top 7. Having reached the MLS Cup Final last season there is a certain expectation being piled on this team to at least reach the play-offs. Unfortunately, they have failed to build on their previous three league wins this season following them up with either a draw or a loss. The win over the Rapids did make it 2 wins from their last 3 home matches in the conference though.

Houston Dynamo are in a much more beneficial situation than their opponents for this game. The Orange Crush are in 8th position in the Western Conference and only 1 point outside the play-offs. Head coach Paulo Nagamura saw his team beat a lacklustre Chicago Fire by a score of 2-0 at home in their last game but they had lost 3 of their previous 4 league games before that victory. It doesn't bode well that Dynamo have lost 4 of their last 5 regular season matches on the road. For a team that have only reached the play-offs once since 2013 it's beginning to look like they're a team that have a psychological barrier to break. Beating Chicago at home is one thing. Notching up a win on the road against a potential play-off rival is another.

I think it's fair to say that Portland Timbers understandably come into this one as the slight favourites. Throw into this the fact that they are unbeaten in their last 7 encounters with Houston Dynamo and it feels like this game is only going one way. Even though Timbers are lower placed than Dynamo in the Western Conference I do feel that Portland are in better shape to make a late push for the play-offs and that will show here.

Portland Timbers to Win @ 1.83 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.74 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Charlotte FC vs Austin FC

The MLS gives us a pair of midnight matches on Friday morning and the first of those I'm previewing is the kick-off between Charlotte FC and Austin FC at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. It's a cross-conference clash with the home team looking to pick up some results to push into the Eastern Conference play-offs and the away side firmly in the fight for the Supporters' Shield.

Charlotte FC currently sit in 10th position in the Eastern Conference and 4 points off the pace of the play-offs. Interim head coach Christian Lattanzio has seen the team win just 1 of their last 4 conference matches so you get the impression that a permanent appointment might be needed to add some stability. The team's two away games failed to deliver a win so it'll be imperative for the North Carolina franchise to get back to winning form if they want to stay in the hunt for the top 7. The good news is that the team have won 6 of their last 7 home regular season games. Karol Swiderski could be a pick for anytime scorer having scored all of his 4 goals this season at home.

Austin FC are one of those teams that are going under the radar with the team in 3rd place in the Western Conference. Just 1 loss from the previous 5 regular season games has left the team just 8 points off the overall leaders Los Angeles FC so finishing top of the pile must surely be their prerogative. The Texans boast one of the better set of results on the road this season which has also seen them win 2 of their last 3 away games in the regular season. The 2-2 draw at home to FC Dallas in the Copa Tejas saw the team come from 2-0 down with just 18 minutes remaining to salvage a point. Head coach Josh Wolff will be hoping his team can build on that momentum to pick up the win here.

I'm quite excited to see how Austin FC fare in this game. I can't help but feel that if they get a result here, especially a win, then they will start to be considered as a team that could potentially go all the way to MLS Cup glory. I believe this is the first time these two franchises have met in the MLS. The ELO ratings favour the home side in a big way because their performances at home have been impressive. Austin FC do have the potential to cause the home team problems though. I will put my faith in the ELO ratings though and back the home team to pick up a win.

Charlotte FC to Win @ 2.22 with SBK

Anytime Scorer: Karol Swiderski @ 2.90 with Betway

[StevieDay1983]

New York Red Bulls vs Atlanta United

The second 12am BST kick-off on Friday morning is the game between New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United from the Red Bull Arena. The home team are looking well set to qualify for the play-offs but might even be eyeing up a late push for the Supporters' Shield as they take on an away side that are in danger of seeing their play-off hopes for this season evaporate unless results improve.

New York Red Bulls are positioned in 4th in the Eastern Conference and only 3 points behind conference leaders CF Montreal. Head coach Gerhard Struber saw his team suffer a disappointing 2-0 loss away to overall standings leaders Los Angeles FC last time out. It was a result I hinted was on the cards if he adopted the tactical approach he did. Will he learn for this game? It's 5 results without defeat at home in the regular season for the Red Bulls including winning their last two on home turf. Those two wins did come against the "weaker" opposition of Toronto FC and DC United but are Atlanta much better? I certainly think the quality of the opposition and home advantage will encourage Struber to avoid changing too much.

Atlanta United continue to struggle to pick up the wins necessary to catch the teams currently occupying the play-off positions. Head coach Gonzalo Pineda has led his team to just 1 win in the last 6 matches across all competitions. The team is down in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and now 5 points off the play-off pace. It's not an ideal situation given the fact that the team is coming into this latest road game having failed to win any of their last 5 away trips in the regular season schedule. Frustratingly, the team aren't rolled over in their defeats. Their last 4 away losses have all come by a single goal. The defence is the concern for Pineda with Atlanta conceding 2 goals in 4 of their last 5 league games. When you're doing that then the pressure for the attack to do the business at the other end becomes too much.

It's a pleasing statistic for New York Red Bulls that they are unbeaten in the last 7 encounters in this fixture but the last two meetings did end in 0-0 draws. Atlanta United's defence hasn't shown me anything close to the sort of displays that makes me think we'll get a third 0-0 in this fixture. I think it's there for New York Red Bulls to take the victory and provided Struber and his players are professional then they should see this one through.

New York Red Bulls to Win @ 1.78 with SBK

BTTS @ 1.73 with Betfair

[StevieDay1983]

[dylanphan]

I'd expect some goals in Vancouver/LAFC game.  LAFC has a great attack, and score pretty much every game.  Their defense on the road is mediocre at best.  BTTS seems solid, but I also like o2.5 at -140 or so.  Vancouver is under some pressure to get a result here so if you can get a first half goal, I think we'll get to 3 with ease with the game opening up.

NYFC are very large home favorites, and reasonably so.  They've lost just once at home all year.  Atlanta on the other hand have just 4 points from 8 road matches all year long and are coming off a crushing loss last night in NY vs Red Bulls, where they allowed 2 goals after the 80 minute mark.  They have also lost a number of players all year due various reasons, but have Josef Martinez back in the fold where he has scored 3 of the last 4 games.  I would still recommend playing NYFC, HOWEVER with one major caveat as their talisman, Valentin Castellanos was absent last match and is under huge speculation to transfer, possibly to Leeds, possibly soon.  NYFC is asking a kings bounty for him, but Leeds coffers have been stuffed with the recent losses of Raphinha and Phillips, and well, you think they may make a play for him soon.  If Castellanos plays, I'd recommend playing NYFC at -0.75 for -115 or better as I just don't see them losing.  

g'luck

 

[StevieDay1983]

Toronto FC vs Seattle Sounders FC

The MLS delivers a triple header on Sunday and the first of those I'm previewing is the game between Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders FC that kicks off at 12:30am BST from the BMO Field in Toronto. Both of these teams are coming into this game on the back of disappointing results and have not really met their expectations in the regular season so far but will they hit back to winning ways here?

Toronto FC are positioned in 12th place in the Eastern Conference and just 4 points off the foot of the table. Head coach Bob Bradley has seen his team now struggle to string a run of positive results together. The Reds have only been able to win 2 of their last 10 regular season games but their run to the Canadian Championship Final against Vancouver Whitecaps will have eased the disappointment slightly. One thing that Toronto FC are thriving with at the moment is scoring goals at home having done so in 8 of their last 9 home matches. The team have also picked up 3 wins from their last 4 home matches in all competitions. The fact remains that Toronto FC are now 6 points off the pace of the play-offs with no games in hand on the teams above them.

Seattle Sounders FC had appeared to be getting their season back on track. I mentioned in my preview of their game with CF Montreal that results were improving after the distraction of the CONCACAF Champions League success but the 2-1 loss they suffered in that game at home suggests that they are still susceptible to a bump in the road still. Head coach Brian Schmetzer will still feel his team are back in the hunt though after just 1 loss in their last 5 regular season games leaving them in 7th place in the Western Conference with games in hand on the teams around them. The team have enjoyed a 5-game home streak and this will be their first regular season game on the road since 22nd May and they have lost 3 of their previous 4 away games in the conference.

This will be the first time these two teams have met since the MLS Cup Final of 2019 when Seattle Sounders FC prevailed as 3-1 winners over Toronto FC. Their run of meetings in the MLS Cup Final between 2016 and 2019 resulted in quite the cross-conference rivalry being formed and it's the Sounders who edge it with their 2016 and 2019 victories to Toronto's 2017 success. Both teams are wounded here and I'm not sure I can separate them with both boasting the ability to score but also suffering from frailties at the back. A score draw makes the most sense.

Draw @ 3.85 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.67 with William Hill

[StevieDay1983]

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Los Angeles FC

The second game I'm taking a look at from the Sunday fixtures in the MLS is the 3am BST clash between Vancouver Whitecaps and Los Angeles FC at the BC Place. The home team are desperately trying to hang on in the hunt for a play-off spot this season but they face a very tough opponent here that currently dominates the Western Conference and showing no sign of relenting.

Vancouver Whitecaps are just about staying in touch with the play-off zone in the Western Conference. Vanni Sartini's men are in 11th position but just 2 points off the top 7. LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC, occupying spots 6th and 7th in the table, do boast a game in hand though so it's becoming vitally important for the Canadian franchise to avoid poor spells of results. Just 1 loss from the last 5 regular season games shows that the Whitecaps aren't giving up on their play-off aspirations. Back-to-back clean sheets in the league gives Sartini's positive vibes. The team is also unbeaten in their last 7 home matches across all competitions.

Los Angeles FC remain one of the teams to beat this season with the Carson-based outfit sitting top of the Western Conference and with a 5-point advantage over 2nd placed Austin FC. It's 5 games unbeaten in the regular season including winning 4 of those matches. The Supporters' Shield is now looking firmly in their sights and it's theirs to lose. Head coach Steve Cherundolo knows his team face a tough challenge here with their recent away form having been inconsistent at best with 1 win, 1 draw and 2 losses from their last 4 games on the road in all competitions. The Black and Gold have also failed to win any of their last three trips to Vancouver which doesn't bode well.

Interestingly, none of the previous 9 encounters between these two sides have seen the away team take all 3 points. Can Los Angeles FC break that trend here? Vancouver Whitecaps might be lower down the table but they have still shown themselves capable of turning over teams on their own patch. I just feel LAFC are destined for an MLS Cup success soon and it could well be this season. I'm just uncertain if this game will give them a win or a draw. I'm going to back their recent form and go for the win. I'm also on board with @dylanphan's tip that there will be goals in this one!

Los Angeles FC to Win @ 2.28 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.72 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

New York City FC vs Atlanta United

Two franchises that are embracing a journey into modern day football culture go head-to-head on Sunday evening at 10pm BST when New York City FC host Atlanta United at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. It's quite the setting for this game that could build up or seriously damage either of these teams' hopes and aspirations for this season. Will either team take the win?

New York City FC continue to stutter during life after Ronny Deila. It's now 3 regular season games without a win. The latest being a thrilling 4-4 draw away against FC Cincinnati. It was a game I stated that I'd need to see more before I didn't think they'd win games like that under interim head coach Nick Cushing. I think I might have reached that stage. It was a bizarre one though. On the one hand, the Pigeons were 4-3 up but had it not been for a late flurry at the end of the first half then they would've gone into the half-time break 3-0 down. It feels very fragile with the team right now and that's not good with them already down to 4th place in the Eastern Conference and just 7 points inside the play-offs. That situation could deteriorate quickly if results don't settle soon because they have to admit that the Supporters' Shield is already looking lost.

Atlanta United will smell blood here. Just 1 win from the last 6 regular season games including losing 3 of their previous 4 matches with back-to-back defeats coming into this game means the team are desperate to start improving their form in the Eastern Conference. Head coach Gonzalo Pineda will be demanding more from a team that are never turned over badly. The proof being that each of their last 5 regular season losses have come by a 2-1 score-line. Away form continues to be a curse for this team though with no win in their last 7 matches on the road across all competitions. It's that poor form on their travels that is stopping me from backing them but if ever there was a time for them to spring a shock result it's now against this opponent given the state they're in.

It's true that New York City FC come into this game against Atlanta United undefeated in the previous four encounters with the New York franchise sealing wins in each of the last three meetings on home turf. I do worry for New York City FC over the remainder of this season. Maybe Cushing will sort it out but they're vulnerable right now. Atlanta United just don't appear to have what it takes to get the win though.

New York City FC to Win & BTTS @ 3.10 with William Hill

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.62 with William Hill