MLS Predictions > Jul 24th & 25th

[StevieDay1983]

[StevieDay1983]

Here are the odds and ratings for the upcoming MLS matches this weekend. I think I'll have some time to cover these games this week so will give my thoughts later in the week. In the meantime, feel free to share your predictions and bets with us below! 

[StevieDay1983]

New York City FC vs Inter Miami CF

Yes, I'm back with some chaotic MLS previews again this week before the European football leagues start kicking back into action in August. The first preview up is the clash between New York City FC and Inter Miami CF in a 12am BST kick-off on Sunday morning from the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Things are beginning to settle for the home team now under this new management team but can they continue their unbeaten run against a visiting team that have notoriously struggled on their travels?

New York City FC are progressing through their season with Nick Cushing continuing as interim head coach after the departure of Ronny Deila. It was a tricky start for Cushing with inconsistent to poor results when he first came in but the former Manchester City Women head coach has now seen his team go unbeaten for their last 5 regular season games including winning the last 3 on the bounce. Their last league outing saw them pull off a morale-boosting 1-0 win away to local rivals New York Red Bulls. That has left the team in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference and just 1 point behind leaders Philadelphia Union with a game in hand. The Pigeons are now also undefeated in their last 9 league matches.

Inter Miami CF were beginning to show signs of progress under head coach Phil Neville when I last covered the league but it seems results have drifted away from consistency recently. The Herons have won just 1 of their last 4 regular season games but that was their most recent game where they managed to earn a dramatic injury-time winner in a 3-2 win over Charlotte FC. The team are now up to 9th in the table and only 2 points outside the play-offs. As mentioned at the start of this preview though, the real bugging issue for the Florida-based franchise is their away form. Just 1 win on the road in the Eastern Conference all season and failure to win any of their last 6 away games shows just how fragile they are on their travels.

I did have concerns that New York City FC could go off the rails when Deila left but Cushing has done a superb job of calming the erratic form and getting them back to winning ways. The team now seems in a solid position once again to push on and do some damage in the play-offs. I can see them making light work of this Inter Miami CF team who are just not quite doing enough to break into the top 7 and until they fix this away form problem that won't change.

New York City FC HT/FT @ 2.10 with Coral

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.57 with Bet365

[StevieDay1983]

Columbus Crew vs New England Revolution

It's an all-Eastern Conference affair again for the second MLS preview of this round of games as we look at Columbus Crew versus New England Revolution which is scheduled to kick-off on Sunday morning at 12:30am BST from the Lower.com Field in Columbus. The play-off hunt is at the forefront of the pre-game talk here with both teams fighting their own fights to be placed in the top 7 before time runs out.

Columbus Crew will be delighted with their recent form as the team have now gone 8 regular season games unbeaten consisting of 4 wins and 4 draws. Head coach Caleb Porter has seen his team pull off a string of professional displays to help move them up to 6th in the Eastern Conference and 3 points inside the play-off positions. One thing that the team will be wary about is that the home form this season hasn't exactly been exemplary. It's just 2 wins from the last 7 home games in the league but they are undefeated in their previous 3 home games so there is optimism. The team have also only conceded 1 goal in their last 3 home matches so if Porter can rely on the defensive unit to do the business again then they're always in with a chance of a win.

New England Revolution might have won the Supporters' Shield last season but it's been far from easy work this time around. Head coach Bruce Arena had led his team on a 10-game unbeaten run in the regular season matches but back-to-back defeats to New York City FC and Philadelphia Union away has seen that form come to an abrupt end. It's perhaps not a huge shock that the Revs suffered losses in both of those games given they were playing away to the top two teams in the conference but it's still disappointing for them to lose their unbeaten streak. It's now also 3 away matches without a win for the team but they'll be hopeful they can get something here. The team are currently sat in 10th position in the Eastern Conference and just 2 points off the pace of the play-offs.

This is a fixture that Columbus Crew have largely dominated down the years with 4 wins to New England Revolution's 1 victory. The teams have also contested 4 draws. The most recent meeting back in May saw the teams battle out a 2-2 draw and I wouldn't be surprised to see a similar outcome here. I'm not sure we can read into the last two losses for the Revs too much given their opposition but they are up against a resolute Crew team who seem to have got into the habit of keeping that points tally ticking over. I was tempted by the home win but I'll hold back and go for the score draw.

Draw @ 3.50 with VBet

BTTS @ 1.63 with Sporting Index

[StevieDay1983]

FC Cincinnati vs Nashville SC

It's a battle between the East and the West in the next previewed MLS game as Eastern Conference franchise FC Cincinnati host Western Conference team Nashville SC in a 12:30am BST kick-off on Sunday morning at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. Both teams are currently occupying play-off spots in their respective conference tables but a defeat here could leave them facing an uphill battle to stay there.

FC Cincinnati will be delighted with their season so far with the team sitting in 7th place and 1 point inside the play-off zone. Not bad for the team that possessed the worst record in the entire MLS last season. Head coach Pat Noonan won't want the team to take their foot off the pedal though. Just 1 win in 9 regular season games isn't ideal form but when you consider they have drawn 5 of those matches you begin to see they have become a very tough team to beat. The Orange and Blue are particularly resolute at home having gone undefeated in their previous 4 home league matches but the last 3 of those have been score draws. The last league game also saw the team lose 2-0 away to an in-form Columbus Crew so bouncing back to winning ways is becoming urgent.

Nashville SC have become victims of their own inconsistency this season. Head coach Gary Smith's side are still in the mix in 5th position in the Western Conference but they are now 12 points off the pace of conference leaders Los Angeles FC and only 3 points inside the top 7. Home form remains the stable source of income on the points front for Nashville but they are less successful on the road. However, it is 2 wins from their last 3 regular season away games but they did suffer a disappointing 4-1 loss to Charlotte FC in their most recent road match. One thing that has become a concern for Nashville is the supply of goals from sources other than Hany Mukhtar. The German attacking midfielder has now scored each of the last 4 goals for Nashville SC across the last 4 regular season games. That's a lot of pressure on the man now!

The odds could well be stacked against FC Cincinnati if you look at the head-to-head statistics with the Ohio-based team only winning 1 of their 7 meetings with Nashville SC. I don't feel either team is really in their best place right now but Nashville are still managing to pick up the odd win where as FC Cincinnati just appear to be setting up with the attitude that they don't want to lose. It's a dangerous game and with their anticipated 4-2-3-1 set-up they risk becoming their own worst enemies. I'm just not sure I can pick a winner and I think Nashville's lack of goals threats outside of Mukhtar could prevent them from winning this one.

Draw @ 3.40 with William Hill

Anytime Scorer: Hany Mukhtar @ 2.88 with Betfair

[StevieDay1983]

Orlando City vs Philadelphia Union

The MLS previews continue with another 12:30am BST kick-off on Sunday morning as Eastern Conference rivals Orlando City and Philadelphia Union go head-to-head at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando. Both teams are looking well placed to progress to the play-offs this season but they'll want to avoid defeat here to keep their spirits high heading into the business-end of the regular season.

Orlando City know that their fate rests in their own hands heading into this game with the team in 5th position in the Eastern Conference and 4 points inside the play-off positions. Manager Oscar Pareja will no doubt be pleased with his side's results so far this season but will be wary of the fact that his team have now only managed 1 win from their last 5 league matches. The Lions have also been inconsistent at home alternating between a win and a loss in each of their last 8 home league games... their most recent home game in the MLS ended in a 1-0 win over Inter Miami CF so does that mean this one will end in defeat?

Philadelphia Union come into this game as the team leading the Eastern Conference and currently just 3 points behind the overall table leaders Los Angeles FC. Head coach Jim Curtin is seeing his team exceed expectations thus far but they can't afford to take their foot off the pedal with the likes of New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, and Montreal CF right up their backsides. It's now just 1 loss from the last 14 regular season games for the Union. I had been critical of them failing to turn their draws into defeats but Curtin has made a few tweaks to his system and that's now happening with the team having won their last 3 league games on the bounce.

These sorts of games are never easy for top of the table teams but Philadelphia Union will be brimming with confidence right now and feel they can take all 3 points in the back yard of a very inconsistent Orlando City team. A defeat here will not be a disaster for either team but a victory would do wonders for self belief and preparation for a potential play-off journey. I just feel Union are a team on a mission right now and I'd back them against anyone anywhere.

Philadelphia Union to Win @ 2.80 with Bet365

BTTS @ 1.70 with William Hill

[StevieDay1983]

Toronto FC vs Charlotte FC

It's another all-Eastern Conference match-up here for this next preview as lowly Toronto FC host play-off hopefuls Charlotte FC in the last of the 12:30am BST Sunday morning kick-offs in the MLS. The home team are in danger of letting this season slip into oblivion but can they put a rare smile on the faces of their supporters against a visiting side that pulled off a shock FC Series win over Premier League club Chelsea in midweek?

Toronto FC can safely write this season off now with the team down in 13th position in the Eastern Conference, just one place and 1 point off the bottom of the table, and 8 points adrift of the play-off places. To make things even worse, head coach Bob Bradley has now witnessed his team win just 1 of their last 7 regular season games including failing to win any of the previous 5 league matches. It's a worrying trend that the team hasn't even been able to score in 3 of their last 4 league games and you have to wonder how much more patience the franchise owners will have before looking at potential alternatives. Will Bradley's future entirely depend on whether Toronto FC can beat Vancouver Whitecaps in the Canadian Championship Final this coming week?

Charlotte FC will come into this game knowing it's a must-win if they want to progress into the play-offs this season. Interim head coach Christian Lattanzio hasn't really improved things massively for the team since the departure of former head coach Miguel Angel Ramirez but he certainly hasn't made things worse. The Crown are in 8th place in the Eastern Conference and only 1 point outside the play-offs. The 3-2 loss away to Inter Miami CF in their most recent game was a disappointment after the back-to-back wins the team had earned. This remains a free-scoring Charlotte FC team having bagged 8 goals in their last 3 league games and when they do lose it's never a roll over. They are still a very tough team to break down and keep down. Just 1 win from their 11 away games in the MLS this season is a concern though.

It's hard to find a valid reason to back Toronto FC to win this game. Can they sneak a draw? The only evidence making me believe this could happen is Charlotte FC's torrid away form. I think a lot of Toronto's focus will be on the Canadian Championship game in midweek though. Charlotte FC are still all-in for the play-offs and that edge could see them win this purely based on determination.

Charlotte FC Draw No Bet @ 2.35 with Unibet

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.79 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

DC United vs CF Montreal

The Eastern Conference is once again our focus of attention for this next MLS preview with the 1am BST kick-off on Sunday morning between bottom-placed franchise DC United and play-off contenders CF Montreal from the Audi Field in Washington D.C. The home team have nothing to lose now but it's probably too late to gain that much where as their visitors are well and truly in the mix for the play-offs. How will this one end?

DC United have started a new era with former player and newly appointed head coach Wayne Rooney taking the reigns. Chad Ashton's interim head coach tenure was one that didn't exactly improve the Black-and-Red's fortunes so the decision to acquire Rooney has been deemed quite the coup. Rooney takes over a team that are languishing at the foot of the table with just 18 points from 19 matches played in the MLS. Despite the announcement being made a couple of weeks ago, this will be the first game that Rooney will take charge having watched from the stands as DC lost 2-0 away against an average Minnesota United. There is a lot of work that needs doing and it could be a case of Rooney using the remaining matches to get a feel of what work needs to be done in preparation for next season. The team are 9 points adrift of the play-offs so a miracle recovery isn't impossible but it's not looking realistic.

CF Montreal are enjoying a contrasting campaign to that of their opponents for this game. Manager Wilfried Nancy has seen his team go toe-to-toe with the very best this season and not look out of place. The Canadian franchise are currently in 4th position in the Eastern Conference and 7 points off the pace of conference leaders Philadelphia Union. The Impact pulled off a dogged 1-0 win at home against Canadian rivals Toronto FC in their last outing that put an abrupt end to back-to-back losses before that game. It wasn't convincing with the winning goal coming courtesy of a Lukas MacNaughton own goal but the points are on the board and the dream goes on. The team have done fairly well on the road with just 2 losses from their last 8 regular season road trips and they'll certainly believe this is a game they can win.

I'm intrigued to see how Rooney does in this spell as DC United head coach. He has a hell of a tough job on his hands. Yes, you can argue the plight at Derby was tougher but at least he had players that could play decent football there and fight for the cause. I'm not sure he has a lot of either at DC United. CF Montreal will smell blood. They will know a win will consolidate their play-off position and I think they'll get the victory. Rooney might improve DC United over time but he's turning an oil tanker here.

CF Montreal to Win @ 2.78 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.73 with William Hill

[StevieDay1983]

Houston Dynamo vs Minnesota United

The play-off picture in the Western Conference takes centre stage in the 1:30am BST kick-off on Sunday morning between Houston Dynamo and Minnesota United at the PNC Stadium in Houston. Both teams will be indifferent with their respective campaigns so far but if it ends in failure to reach the play-offs then they'll no doubt be deeply disappointed. Who will take the points here?

Houston Dynamo come into this game in 11th position in the Western Conference but only 2 points off the play-off pace. Head coach Paulo Nagamura knows his team have it in them to reach the play-offs but the encouraging start to the season has tailed off and the defeats are now happening a lot more frequently than he'd be comfortable with. The Orange Crush have won just 1 of their last 5 regular season games and when you consider that they have also lost 9 of their previous 14 league games it's beginning to look like a potential season-defining problem. Just 1 win from their last 4 home league games isn't helping with solid home form key to a play-off push. The team did prevail victorious in their last MLS game which was a 2-1 win away against lowly San Jose Earthquakes but it's games like this that really test the mettle of a team.

Minnesota United can be pleased with their current situation of 4th place in the Western Conference. Head coach Adrian Heath is working his magic once again with the team 4 points inside the play-offs. The good times are rolling at the upper midwestern state team with the unbeaten run stretching to 5 games now including 4 victories. The team is free-scoring right now too with the team scoring 12 goals during that run. You could argue that the defence still needs tightening but when a team plays on the front foot there is always a level of defensive sacrifice to some degree. The Loons will be confident coming into this game having not only won back-to-back road games but also scoring 3 goals in each of those matches.

These are two teams that are in two different mindsets right now. Houston Dynamo are playing catch-up but their lack of positive form is making their play-off hopes look doubtful at the moment. Minnesota United are pushing right into the top 7 and their form is up there with the best in the whole of the MLS. I feel that form alone suggests the away team should be backed here.

Minnesota United to Win @ 3.40 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.80 with William Hill

[StevieDay1983]

Sporting Kansas City vs Los Angeles FC

It's the bottom side hosting the top team in the Western Conference in this 1:30am BST kick-off on Sunday morning in the MLS as Sporting Kansas City play Los Angeles FC at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City. Is there anybody in the sports betting world that isn't backing a solid away win here? Or could we see an upset and witness the home team somehow pick up a shock victory?

Sporting Kansas City are generally having a season to forget with the team propping up the Western Conference on just 20 points. 5 wins from their 22 regular season matches so far is a poor return and just 2 wins from the last 8 league games suggests things aren't improving any time soon. There is good news though. Somehow, head coach Peter Vermes has guided his side to the US Open Cup Semi-Final with their fixture against Sacramento Republic FC scheduled for next week. You get the feeling that cup run is what could be keeping Vermes in his job right now because the team is now 7 points adrift of the play-off spots having played more than the teams above them.

Los Angeles FC are loving life right now with the franchise having confirmed the signings of Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini this summer. The team is still leading the way in the Supporters' Shield and they certainly look like the team to beat this season. Just 1 loss from the last 8 regular season games has helped the team maintain its momentum to lead the way. Head coach Steve Cherundolo will be keen to see his team push on now. LAFC pulled off an impressive 2-1 win away against Nashville SC in their most recent MLS game and they'll be looking to make it back-to-back road victories here.

It's hard to see how Sporting Kansas City can hope to come away with anything here. The form and momentum is with Los Angeles FC but you also have to consider that Sporting Kansas City will have half an eye on that US Open Cup Semi-Final next week. The league is practically a lost cause for them now so the cup is their sole focus. LAFC on the other hand are all about the MLS Cup so they'll be going all out here.

Los Angeles FC to Win @ 2.14 with SBK

Anytime Scorer: Carlos Vela @ 2.37 with Bet365

[StevieDay1983]

Real Salt Lake vs FC Dallas

Two teams looking to consolidate their places in the Western Conference play-off positions go head-to-head on Sunday morning in the MLS for this 3am BST kick-off between Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. A victory for either team would put them in an even stronger position in the top 7 but a loss could begin to cast doubt on their play-off credentials.

Real Salt Lake are in 3rd position in the Western Conference and with the team 6 points inside the play-off places it seems like they are well set to reach the post-season phase of the MLS this year. Head coach Pablo Mastroeni will have been delighted with his team's 3-0 win at home against Sporting Kansas City that ended a 4-game winless run. That victory ensured that the team has maintained its undefeated home regular season record this season with 7 wins and 3 draws from their 10 home league games thus far. It was also a 4th clean sheet in their last 5 home matches in the Western Conference and any team that builds their philosophy on a solid back-line should be considered contenders for the big prize.

FC Dallas aren't quite in the luxurious positions of their opponents for this game but the Burn are still in 6th place and 2 points inside the play-offs in the Western Conference. Head coach Nico Estevez will be deeply concerned by his team's winless run that has no extended to 7 regular season games now. However, 3 draws from their last 4 league games does mean the rot has halted to some degree but the challenge now is to turn those draws into victories. The team still possess one of the more positive away records in the MLS having lost just 2 of their last 9 matches on the road in the regular season fixtures. Three of the last four matches have also seen less than 2.5 goals scored so the effort is being put in by FC Dallas to stifle the opposition's attacking play in order to try and smash and grab those wins. It's not quite happening yet though.

One thing that is fairly certain this season is that Real Salt Lake a bit of a phenomenon at home. FC Dallas have been decent enough on their travels too but this will arguably be their toughest away challenge yet. I have concerns that unless FC Dallas pick up a win soon then they could well drop out of the play-offs and that could have a huge impact on their mental strength. Once they drop out they'll find it very hard to get back in. This game is there for Real Salt Lake to continue their fine home form.

Real Salt Lake to Win @ 2.02 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 2.00 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Seattle Sounders FC vs Colorado Rapids

One team could find their play-off aspirations take a major hit this weekend when Seattle Sounders FC play Colorado Rapids in this Western Conference game that's scheduled to kick-off at 3am BST on Sunday morning from the Lumen Field in Seattle. The home team are hitting a bad patch of results at a terrible time and they come up against a visiting side that are starting to build some resurgence.

Seattle Sounders FC enjoyed CONCACAF Champions League glory earlier this season and even though their progress in that competition appeared to hit their MLS form, Brian Schmetzer's team did seem to galvanize their domestic form after the trophy win. Unfortunately, that improved form has now seemingly died a death with the team losing 4 of their last 5 regular season games including losing their previous 3 league matches. This flurry of defeats has seen the team drop out of the play-off positions and into 9th place in the Western Conference. It's also disconcerting for the Sounders fans that their team have failed to score in over 300 minutes of MLS action. It's also been back-to-back losses on home turf so the supporters will be hoping to see a better display here.

Colorado Rapids remain down at the wrong end of the table in 12th position in the Western Conference but a run of 3 regular season games unbeaten for Robin Fraser's men means they have given themselves a fighting chance of gatecrashing the play-off battle. The team is now just 3 points off the top 7 and it seems bizarre to think that they would leapfrog their opponents with a victory here. There is reason for the Rapids fans to be pessimistic though with the team having failed to win an MLS game on the road all season. Their away record in the Western Conference stands at just 3 draws and 6 losses.

OK, so based on the evidence put before us it's really hard to feel confident in backing either of these teams to win here. I am swaying between a narrow Seattle Sounders FC win over Colorado Rapids or just backing the draw. I think there's obviously still quality within this Sounders team and they only need one good result to pick themselves back up. I think they could do it here against an opponent that is tormented on their travels.

Seattle Sounders FC to Win @ 1.89 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 2.06 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Chicago Fire

Two teams that are outsiders for the play-offs but starting to show the potential to make a late push into the top 7 face-off in a 3am BST kick-off on Sunday morning as Western Conference franchise Vancouver Whitecaps entertain Eastern Conference team Chicago Fire at the BC Place in Vancouver. A victory for either of these sides would push them right back into the play-off mix. Can either team take the win?

Vancouver Whitecaps were looking like a team that were seeing their season drift away in the MLS but Vanni Sartini's men have now lost just 1 of their last 6 regular season games to move up to 10th position in the Western Conference table and just 1 point outside the play-off places. There is definitely a clear sign of improvement over a longer period too with the Blue and Whites only losing 3 of their previous 12 matches. The team faces an epic Canadian Championship Final game in midweek versus Toronto FC but both that game and this one are on home turf so the team will feel confident they can win both. It is just 1 loss from their last 9 home matches in all competitions but that single defeat did actually come in their most recent MLS home game.

Chicago Fire may well be perennial under-achievers but their fans will believe there is still an outside chance their team can qualify for the MLS play-offs this season. Head coach Ezra Hendrickson has given the players and fans a level of belief after winning back-to-back MLS games to see the team move up to 12th in the Eastern Conference and just 4 points off the pace of the play-offs. Can the Fire win three regular season games on the bounce for the first time since 2017? Unfortunately, both of those victories came at home and the team's form on the road is pretty appalling recently with no win from their last 8 away regular season games with 7 of those ending in defeat. 

It is Vancouver Whitecaps who hold a psychological advantage over Chicago Fire coming into this game with the Canadian franchise winning 5 of the last 8 encounters. Home advantage will also be beneficial given the awful state of Fire's form on their travels. Yes, I am concerned that the Whitecaps might be distracted by the midweek cup game but they really should have enough to get the job done here.

Vancouver Whitecaps to Win @ 2.40 with SBK

BTTS @ 1.74 with SBK 

[StevieDay1983]

Portland Timbers vs San Jose Earthquakes

The final game from the onslaught of MLS fixtures scheduled for Sunday morning is the 3:30am BST kick-off between Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes from Providence Park in Portland. The home side are aiming to push into the play-off positions with a positive result against a visiting team that are at risk of seeing their play-off hopes evaporate before their very eyes if they suffer a loss.

Portland Timbers are purring nicely at the moment with the team unbeaten in their last 6 regular season matches. Head coach Giovanni Savarese will see his team in 8th place in the Western Conference and only placed outside the play-off places due to fewer games won compared to LA Galaxy and feel his team have got what it takes to keep on going. The fact it's 3 league games unbeaten at home for the Oregon-based franchise also shows they are beginning to believe in themselves in front of the home crowd again and that could be key in helping the players deliver a first MLS Cup since 2015.

San Jose Earthquakes will know the pressure is on them to start picking up points before their play-off aspirations fade. Interim head coach Alex Covelo has led his team to 13th in the table and they are only 2 points off the bottom of the table. It is even more worrying that they are 5 points off the play-off places with time running out to make up that deficit. The 2-1 loss at home to Houston Dynamo in their last MLS outing was disappointing because it brought to an end an unbeaten run of 3 regular season games. It's easy to see where the team needs to improve given they possess the worst defensive record in the Western Conference and the joint worst in the whole of the MLS. Is it too late for them to save their season now?

It was the Portland Timbers who absolutely dominated this fixture with San Jose Earthquakes until their most recent encounter. The Timbers had won all 7 previous meetings before suffering defeat away to the Earthquakes earlier this season. I still fancy the Oregon side to take the win here. Earthquakes are having a season to forget and when your team is shipping over 2 goals per game on average you need your attacking players to really step up and that's simply too much pressure on a bang average front-line.

Portland Timbers to Win @ 1.69 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 3.5 @ 2.10 with Betfair

[waggy]

Great in depth analysis as usual for this weekends games. The write up alone must take so long. A really good read.

[StevieDay1983]

Austin FC vs New York Red Bulls

The MLS brings us two matches on Monday morning with the first kicking off at 1am BST when Austin FC play New York Red Bulls at the Q2 Stadium in Austin. The home team will be looking to keep up the pressure on Los Angeles FC at the top of the Supporters' Shield table with a win against a visiting team who are also enjoying a very positive season at the top end of the Eastern Conference.

Austin FC come into this game in 2nd place in the Western Conference and could potentially move into second spot in the Supporters' Shield table. Head coach Josh Wolff will be delighted with his team's progress in just their second season in the MLS. The team are unbeaten in their last 7 regular season matches so they are in a fine spell of form right now having also won 4 of their last 5 games. The players will be buzzing after getting hold of the Copa Tejas thanks to their 1-1 draw away with FC Dallas. A solid home record has helped Austin FC perform so well in the Western Conference with just 1 loss from their 9 home games in the MLS this season.

New York Red Bulls are out to consolidate their place in the Eastern Conference play-offs with the team currently in 4th position but 7 points inside the play-offs. Head coach Gerhard Struber will be pleased that his team had overcome their inconsistent spell with 2 wins and a draw from their last 3 MLS regular season games but a 1-0 loss to New York City in their most recent league outing was a disappointment. The Red Bulls have also fixed their recent away day woes that saw them lose 3 away games on the trot. That unwanted streak has been ended with a 1-0 win away to Sporting Kansas City and a 1-1 draw away to FC Cincinnati. It's still only 3 goals scored in their last 6 away regular season games so the team will want to be more potent in front of goal on the road.

This will be the first time ever that these two franchises have met. It should be a fascinating clash with Austin FC boasting a decent home record and showing themselves to be dark horses for the MLS Cup. However, New York Red Bulls are always a team you cannot write off. They will go toe-to-toe with even the best teams in the MLS and they may not always produce a victory but they'll make themselves damn hard to beat.

Draw @ 3.65 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.82 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

LA Galaxy vs Atlanta United

The final preview from this weekend's matches in the MLS is the 2:30am BST clash on Monday morning between LA Galaxy and Atlanta United from the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The season is in danger of ending in disappointment for both of these teams so getting a win here could be crucial in helping them to steer their way back into the play-off picture where as a loss could prove severely detrimental.

LA Galaxy are sitting just outside the Western Conference play-offs in 9th place but could leap into the play-offs with a win due to their superior number of wins over Portland Timbers. Head coach Greg Vanney will be feeling the pressure after experiencing just 1 win from the last 6 regular season games including losing the last 3 matches on the bounce. The defence has become a major issue for the Galaxy with the team shipping 8 goals in those 3 losses suffered. The defeats to San Jose Earthquakes and Colorado Rapids have been particularly demoralising because they are two teams that Galaxy should be getting 3 points against yet those defeats could cost them the play-offs.

Atlanta United will feel that the MLS Cup winning exploits of 2018 are a lifetime ago with the team down in 12th in the Eastern Conference and just 6 points off the bottom of the table. Head coach Gonzalo Pineda knows his team need to make up a small 4-point deficit to move into the play-off positions so winning games like this are vital. The Five Stripes brought a 4-game winless streak to an end with a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake followed by a 1-1 draw against Orlando City. The team have failed to win any of their last 7 regular season games on the road so this game will be another big challenge for them.

It looks fairly clear that LA Galaxy are the team to back here. They are higher placed in the overall table and Atlanta United's away record is appalling. The glimmer of hope for Atlanta fans is that the LA Galaxy defence is shocking right now. If you can score then you always have a chance. I just think LA Galaxy should have enough in their own attacking armoury to seal the victory in what could end up being a high-scoring affair.

LA Galaxy to Win @ 1.93 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 3.5 @ 2.15 with SBK