MLS Predictions > Jul 4th & 5th

[StevieDay1983]

[StevieDay1983]

Check out the odds and ratings for these upcoming matches in the MLS. Give us your predictions down below so we can pool our knowledge and smash the bookies! 

[StevieDay1983]

Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union

The next batch (technically a continuation of the last round) of MLS games are quick on our tail this week and the action starts with the 12:30am BST kick-off on Monday morning when Columbus Crew host Philadelphia Union at the Lower.com Field in Columbus. The home team are looking to get back in touch with the play-offs so they'll be looking for the win here against a visiting side that have shown glimpses of why they are being tipped by some to go all the way to MLS Cup glory.

Columbus Crew are fighting back in their efforts to reach the MLS play-offs this season. Head coach Caleb Porter has seen his team go 4 regular season games without defeat now helping the team move up to 9th in the Eastern Conference and just 3 points off the top 7. The 2-1 win away to Toronto FC in their last outing showed how good they can be on the road but home struggles do continue to plague the team this season. It's just 1 win from their last 5 home league matches and if they want to break into those play-off positions then that's something that will need to be addressed. It's interesting to note that just 2 of the last 6 regular season games played by the Crew has ended with over 2.5 goals being scored.

Philadelphia Union come into this game now being fancied as one of the main contenders for the MLS Cup. Jim Curtin's men have seen their form haltered by becoming the renowned draw specialists of the MLS having drawn 7 of their previous 10 regular season games. The Union remain in 3rd place and only denied being top of the Eastern Conference table due to CF Montreal and New York Red Bulls having won more games so far. The team have had their issues on the road though with just 1 win in their last 6 road games in the league. It's also disconcerting to read that Union haven't been able to win any of their last 7 trips to Columbus.

These teams head into this game off the back of contrasting results. Columbus Crew might have won and Philadelphia might have lost their last respective regular season games but it's the Union who boast a 100% win record in the last 3 meetings between these two teams. The poor home form of the home side and the equally disappointing away form of the away team means I'm not confident backing either side to win this. Especially when you consider a draw probably wouldn't be considered a disaster by either team. It's a draw for me.

Draw @ 3.35 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.76 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

New England Revolution vs FC Cincinnati

The second of the two 12:30am BST kick-offs on Monday morning in the MLS is the fixture that pits New England Revolution against FC Cincinnati at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. The home team continue their resurgent form as they look to move deeper into the play-off positions against fellow play-off rivals who have proven themselves very tough to beat over recent months.

New England Revolution sit in 7th place and 3 points inside the play-off positions in the Eastern Conference. Bruce Arena's team can thank an unbeaten run of 9 regular season games for that rise up the table after a pretty poor start to the campaign. The Revs are also undefeated in their last 6 regular season home games and it always helps turning your home stadium into a bit of a fortress if you want to challenge for the play-offs in the MLS. The fact it has also been 5 regular season games now where the team have managed to concede 1 or fewer goals. A resilient defensive unit is also a great foundation on which to build an impressive run of form in the league.

FC Cincinnati were involved in a thriller in their last regular season outing. Head coach Pat Noonan witnessed his team take a 3-0 lead at home against New York City FC before the visitors hit back with 3 goals between the 45th and 52nd minute either side of half-time. It had looked like City would sneak the win when they went 4-3 up but a 70th minute equaliser by Brenner to seal his hat-trick bagged a dramatic 4-4 draw. The Orange and Blue are now on a run of just 2 losses from their last 9 regular season games including going undefeated in their last 3 matches. Defensive frailties are a concern for the team still with the New York City FC game being the 3rd time in 5 games that the team has conceded 3 or more goals.

It's fair to say that New England Revolution have dominated this fixture over recent times clocking up 5 wins from the last 5 encounters. FC Cincinnati are a solid unit this season but that weak defensive line does concern me against a Revs team who are playing more like the team that won the Supporters' Shield last season at home. I can only see a business-like display and win for the home team here.

New England Revolution to Win @ 1.68 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 3.5 @ 2.45 with Betfair

[StevieDay1983]

Minnesota United vs Real Salt Lake

The next game up in our previews for the Monday morning kick-offs in the MLS is the 1am BST start between Minnesota United and Real Salt Lake from the Allianz Field in St Paul. The home team are in danger of letting the play-offs slip away from their grasp if they don't cease the high percentage of losses they have experienced recently but can they see off a high-flying visiting side who look well-placed for the play-offs?

Minnesota United finally put an end to their dismal losing run of 6 defeats from 8 regular season games with a shock 3-2 win away to LA Galaxy in an ill-tempered game that saw three players sent off. Adrian Heath's men managed to keep their composure is the hostile atmosphere to get the win needed to move up to 11th position in the Western Conference and to within 3 points of the play-off places. The Loons picked up just their 2nd win in their last 7 away games in the MLS but it was a 9th consecutive regular season game without managing to keep a clean sheet.

Real Salt Lake continue to be a team that look well-positioned for the play-offs. Head coach Pablo Mastroeni's men are currently situated in 3rd place in the Western Conference and 5 points inside the top 7. The Claret and Cobalt have only lost 1 of their last 6 regular season and will see the 0-0 home draw with Columbus Crew in their most recent game as a missed opportunity to close to gap on conference leaders Los Angeles FC. That goalless draw did make it back-to-back clean sheets though and that's now 3 clean sheets in the last 4 league games so Mastroeni will be delighted that his defensive unit is doing the business at their end.

This is a fascinating game because the Minnesota United win over LA Galaxy has really thrown a spanner in the works. I would have had Real Salt Lake down to win this one but now I'm not so sure. Especially because Salt Lake have been overly reliant on their home form with their away form seeing them pick up just 1 win in the last 7 away league games. I think the fact that 5 of the last 8 meetings between these two have ended in draws means I feel that the draw is a fair shout once again.

Draw @ 3.65 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.87 with Betfair

[StevieDay1983]

Sporting Kansas City vs New York Red Bulls

The second 1am BST kick-off on Monday morning in the MLS will see Sporting Kansas City go up against New York Red Bulls at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas for a cross-conference battle. The home team continue to strive to dig themselves out of this rut of a poor season as they take on a visiting side that have hit an inconsistent period but very much remain in the fight to win the Supporters' Shield.

Sporting Kansas City were written off by many, including myself, a while ago. The team is still flapping down in 13th position in the Western Conference and just 1 point off the bottom of the table. It's also 3 defeats from the last 4 regular season games leaving the team 8 points off the pace of the play-offs. Head coach Peter Vermes remains in charge of the franchise but for how much longer is a question only the owners can answer. The likelihood is that the team's run to the US Open Cup Semi-Finals has played a key role in keeping Vermes in his job and with their next opponents being Sacramento Republic there is every chance the team could reach the final. That could give Vermes a stay of execution.

New York Red Bulls might not be enjoying a vintage season but they're doing enough to remain at the top end. Gerhard Struber's men are 2nd in the Eastern Conference but haven't been able to string two wins together in the league since 30th April. Form on the road has been a big reason for that with the Red Bulls failing to win any of their previous 4 away games in the regular season. Not great news coming into this game but you could argue that they are up against the ideal opponents to break that dour run. The 2-1 win at home to Atlanta United in their last game was the ideal remedy to the 2-0 loss away to Los Angeles FC in the game prior but it did require two goals in the last 7 minutes to make that happen with one being a penalty.

If there is one thing we can say about this fixture it's that it certainly provides entertainment. Both teams have scored in every one of the last six meetings between these two franchises. New York Red Bulls come to Sporting Kansas City knowing they are winless in their last four visits in a dry spell of results that stretches all the way back to 2014. Can the Red Bulls break that duck here? At the price being offered, I'm willing to back them to a certain extent.

New York Red Bulls Draw No Bet @ 1.95 with SportNation

BTTS @ 1.81 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Houston Dynamo vs Charlotte FC

The next game up in the MLS previews for Monday morning is the 1:30am BST kick-off that will see Houston Dynamo play Charlotte FC at the PNC Stadium in Houston. The pressure is slowly building on both of these teams to get their form improved or risk seeing their play-off hopes fade away as the season enters its second half. There are still too many Ls showing up on their results list over recent weeks so can that change for either team?

Houston Dynamo have now experienced 7 losses from their last 10 regular season matches leaving the team down in 10th position and 3 points off the play-off pace in the Western Conference. Head coach Paulo Nagamura can take heart from the fact that his team have won 2 of their last 3 home league games but if the losses continue outweigh the wins in this manner then the bottom of the table will suck them in. Darwin Quintero has bagged a goal in back-to-back matches now so he is a fair shout to back for an anytime scorer bet in this game.

Charlotte FC come into this game still hunting their first away victory in the MLS. The North Carolina franchise currently sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and 4 points outside the play-offs but just 1 win in their last 5 regular season games including losing back-to-back matches means that the team are seeing their end-of-season expectations hampered. Interim head coach Christian Lattanzio isn't exactly setting the world alight if he is on a quest to nail the job down on a permanent basis. The former New York City FC and Nice assistant head coach has witnessed his team win just a single game and that was his first in charge. Has the new gaffer bounce faded already?

I think you only need to take a look at the respective home and away form of these two sides to get a good idea of where this game could be going. Houston Dynamo have lost just 2 of their last 9 home games where as Charlotte FC still don't know what victory on the road feels like in their maiden MLS season. Neither team is in fine form right now so I'm going to back the home side to make full use of home advantage.

Houston Dynamo to Win @ 2.28 with SBK

Anytime Scorer: Darwin Quintero @ 3.00 with Betfair

[StevieDay1983]

Nashville SC vs Portland Timbers

The penultimate game on Monday morning in the MLS also kicks off at 1:30am BST when Nashville SC play Portland Timbers at Geodis Park in Nashville. Now the home team let us down last time we backed them to win a game they really should have dominated but can they make up for it here against a visiting side that are considered fellow play-off rivals in the Western Conference?

Nashville SC had been unbeaten in all 6 matches they had played at home this season before they welcomed lowly Sporting Kansas City to Tennessee. Somehow, Gary Smith's team screwed it up and lost 2-1. Granted, they did bounce back with a resounding 3-1 away win against another struggling franchise in DC United but the fans still want more pay back. The Coyotes are now 6th in the Western Conference table and have an opportunity to really consolidate their position in the top 7 now. It's now just 1 loss from the last 8 matches in all competitions and the team is back to its free-scoring best after a few dry games that saw just 2 goals scored in 3 matches.

Portland Timbers will want to start picking up their form now with the team in 9th position in the Western Conference but just 2 points outside the play-off zone. Head coach Giovanni Savarese has seen his team begin to crank up the results with a 3-game unbeaten streak including winning back-to-back matches. The team has scored 6 goals and conceded just 2 goals during that spell. This is an away game though and it's now 6 regular season games on the road without a win for the Oregon-based franchise. If they want to keep this positive run going then that has to improve.

It might surprise you to know that these two franchises have only ever clashed once before and it was Portland Timbers who prevailed as 1-0 winners over Nashville SC in Oregon. I do worry for the away form of the Timbers and, generally, Nashville have been killing it at home this season. Fool us once, Nashville, shame on you. Fool us twice, shame on us. It's a risk I'm willing to take though. Home win here for me!

Nashville SC to Win & BTTS @ 3.70 with Betfair

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.87 with Betfair

[StevieDay1983]

San Jose Earthquakes vs Chicago Fire

The final game of the Monday morning schedule in the MLS is the 2am BST start where San Jose Earthquakes host Chicago Fire at PayPal Park in San Jose. Neither of these two teams are having much joy this season. They may well be in different conferences but the struggle is real and, if we're being realistic, hopes to qualify for the play-offs are fading with every passing week.

San Jose Earthquakes are now 4 games without a win and they haven't even managed to score in their last 240 minutes of regular season action. This poor run has left the Quakes down at the rock bottom of the Western Conference and 9 points adrift of the play-offs. Head coach Alex Covello remains in charge on a temporary basis but you do get the feeling a change will be necessary sooner rather than later. The optimistic news is that all four of San Jose's victories in 2022 have come on home turf and they do actually remain unbeaten in their last 7 home games played in the regular season.

Chicago Fire might well enter this game in the better position in the overall standings but Ezra Hendrickson's side are still down in 13th place in the Eastern Conference and just 3 points off the foot of the table whilst also being 7 points off the pace of the play-offs. It's looking like another season of disappointment for the side from the Windy City but 2 wins from their last 3 regular season suggests that the team isn't ready to give up the ghost just yet. Unfortunately, both of those victories came at home and the team's away form isn't as impressive with the Fire failing to win any of their last 7 matches in the league on the road and losing 6 of those.

It's San Jose Earthquakes who hold the psychological advantage over Chicago Fire heading into this game having won both of the last two encounters. You also have to feel that home advantage will be massive for the Californian franchise with the visitors possessing such a poor away record themselves. I'm going to back the home team to get the job done but, let's face it, neither of these teams are making the play-offs.

San Jose Earthquakes to Win @ 2.15 with 888Sport

BTTS @ 1.62 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Orlando City vs DC United

It's another day of MLS action coming at us with four matches scheduled tonight. The first of those is the 12am BST kick-off on Tuesday morning between Orlando City and DC United at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando. This is a fantastic opportunity for the home side to consolidate their place in the play-offs as they take on the Eastern Conference's bottom-placed team.

Orlando City will be looking to bounce back from their 1-0 loss away to FC Cincinnati in their last game in order to improve their placing within the Eastern Conference play-off places. Head coach Oscar Pareja has seen his team rise to 6th position in the table and they will be aiming to close the gap on leaders New York Red Bulls with a victory here. It's just 1 win from the last 5 regular season and you have to wonder how much their run to the US Open Cup Semi-Finals has impacted on that form. The fact both their last 16 and Quarter-Final ties went all the way to penalties as well. The Lions have been what can only be described as inconsistent so far at home this season with 4 wins and 4 losses in the league. Can they earn back-to-back home wins for the first time this season?

DC United are no doubt just wanting this season to hurry up and finish. The capital city side are sitting at the foot of the Eastern Conference table with just 14 points from their 15 games played so far. The good news is that the Black-and-Red have games in hand on the teams above them but they are now 11 points adrift of the play-offs and you have to say that this season looks like it's going to end in disappointment once again. Not great for a franchise that is ranked second in the list of most MLS Cup wins. Interim head coach Chad Ashton has now witnessed his team go 6 league games without a win including losing their previous 3 games on the bounce. It's all about finishing this campaign with pride and a bit of fight before a rebuild for next season.

It's Orlando City who have won both of the previous two encounters with DC United and you have to back them to make it three in a row here. The home team seem play-off bound at the moment but need to be wary that their erratic form doesn't dip further. The away side haven't won any of their last 5 matches in the regular season on the road and I can't see them getting that elusive first away win since 5th March here!

Orlando City to Win @ 1.82 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.81 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Colorado Rapids vs Austin FC

The next game up in our coverage of the MLS fixtures on Tuesday morning is the 2am BST start between Colorado Rapids and Austin FC from the Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. The home team must start picking up some valuable wins soon to keep their play-off hopes alive and they will look to start here against an in-form and Supporters' Shield chasing away franchise.

Colorado Rapids are in danger of seeing their season slip away if this winless run continues much longer. It's now 3 regular season matches without a victory for Robin Fraser's men and they find themselves down in 12th place and 5 points off the pace of the Western Conference play-offs. Perhaps even more disconcerting is the fact that the team are now only 3 points off the bottom of the conference table. Home form had been the franchise's salvation with the team going unbeaten in 8 home games in all competitions before the demoralising 3-1 hammering at the hands of Nashville SC in their last outing on home turf. How will that psychologically impact the Rapids heading into this clash?

Austin FC are flying high right now with the Texan franchise currently positioned in 2nd in the Western Conference. Head coach Josh Wolff has seen his team lose just 1 of their last 6 regular season games including going undefeated in their previous 3 such matches. It's left the team just 5 points off the pace of Supporters' Shield table leaders Los Angeles FC so it's still all to play for. Sebastian Driussi is the joint top scorer in the MLS with 9 goals but he has only bagged 1 in the last 4 games that the team has played. The Argentine could be a solid pick to end his dry spell in this game against a Rapids side that aren't in the best of form right now.

It's a big statistic to note that Austin FC boast the best points per game ratio on the road in the MLS this season including winning 5 of the last 6 away league games. The Texas franchise won their first ever meeting with Colorado Rapids but it has been the Stan Kroenke-owned franchise that has won the two encounters since. I still think the Rapids are a mean opposition on home turf and I think even a resolute Austin outfit on their travels will be hard-pushed to get the win. I think that Nashville SC defeat will linger for the Rapids though so a draw seems like the best value bet here.

Draw @ 4.10 with Unibet

BTTS @ 1.77 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

FC Dallas vs Inter Miami CF

The race for the play-offs is the focus of our attention in this next preview as Western Conference play-off hopefuls FC Dallas host Eastern Conference play-off challengers Inter Miami CF in a 2am BST kick-off from the Toyota Stadium in Dallas. Winning this game could prove crucial for both of these teams as they begin to hone in on finishing in the top 7 come the end of the season.

FC Dallas are in a very fragile position right now. Head coach Nico Estevez has seen his team win just 1 of their last 6 regular season games but the team remains in 6th place in the Western Conference and 2 points inside the play-off positions. The Burn have lost both of their previous 2 home league games though so that's a concern heading into this one. The main concern during this poor spell has been the defence leaking goals like they're going out of fashion. 12 goals conceded in those 6 games simply isn't good enough but there is hope that Estevez's team have still been scoring having failed to hit the opposition net in just one of those games.

Inter Miami CF find themselves in a slightly different situation to their opponents with Phil Neville's side chasing a play-off spot rather than battling to keep it. The Herons are in 10th position in the Eastern Conference and 4 points off the play-off pace. Just 1 win from their 7 away league games this season shows how weak the team is on the road. It's a shame because it's been just 1 loss from the previous 6 regular season games so you feel that the club is moving in the right direction. Will their torrid away results let them down and prevent them from reaching the top 7 come the end of the campaign?

These two teams have only ever met once before and it was FC Dallas who won that game by a 2-1 score. It looks like they come into this game as overwhelming favourites and deservedly so. Inter Miami CF are dreadful on the road and despite winning 3 of the last 4 regular season games they remain out of sorts on their travels. For that reason, I have to back the home side to win comfortably.

FC Dallas HT/FT @ 2.35 with Coral

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.77 with VBet

[StevieDay1983]

LA Galaxy vs CF Montreal

The final preview for this week's MLS schedule is the clash between LA Galaxy and CF Montreal that is set to kick-off at 3:30am BST on Tuesday morning from the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. Both of these teams will be pleased with their respective campaigns thus far but the season is reaching the stage where every dropped point could have an impact on their quest for the play-offs.

LA Galaxy have struggled for consistent positive form all season but they are still inside the play-offs in the Western Conference in 7th place but it's certainly squeaky bum time with the likes of Minnesota United, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Portland Timbers right up their rear. The Galaxy have only won 1 of their last 6 regular season games and the shock 2-1 loss at home to Sacramento Republic FC in the US Open Cup Quarter-Final would not have helped improve morale as the team looks to consolidate their spot in the top 7. It's been just 1 win from the last 5 home league games and with this being a 5th home game in a row that's not ideal! The double sending offs of Douglas Costa and Kevin Cabral in the 3-2 loss at home to Minnesota United last time out means Greg Vanney will be without both of those players for this game.

CF Montreal are tearing it up this season with the Canadian franchise currently in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference and just 3 points off the pace of table leaders New York Red Bulls. Head coach Wilfried Nancy deserves a lot of credit for getting the team in this position. It's 3 wins from the last 4 regular season games so current form is strong with the team averaging 2 goals per game scored during that run. This is also a Montreal team that are stubborn opposition on the road. The Impact have lost just 1 of their 7 regular season games on the road this season. Nancy will be delighted with the way his team have responded to the gut-wrenching 4-0 loss away to Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship Semi-Final with back-to-back wins in the league.

It's a good omen for LA Galaxy fans knowing that their team not only have home advantage over CF Montreal but they have also won their last 3 matches with the Canadian side. The fact Montreal have also failed to win any of their 4 trips to Carson shows they have a big psychological mountain to climb to change that trend here. Can they do it? I suppose given their current form now would be as good a time as any. I'm not sure I can see the away win but I'd be willing to back them to sneak a draw.

Draw @ 4.30 with VBet

Total Goals Scored Over 3.5 @ 2.45 with Betfair