MLS Betting Advice: Champs Trying to Get Back on Top of Standings
Following on from a stunning game between Austin and New York Red Bulls and a goal for five-time Champions League winner Gareth Bale for Los Angeles FC, the MLS puts on some massive games this weekend, many of which are tough to call.
Here’s our MLS betting advice for this weekend’s action.
Game of the Week
New York City +155 at Montreal +140
The defending MLS Cup champions will aim to get back to the top of the table when New York City meets with Montreal in Canada. New York City is on a six-game unbeaten run right now and its last four games have all been impressive victories.
First came a 4-2 win over New England Revolution, then it picked up all three points on the road against Dallas and New York Red Bulls. Last time out, the Pigeons eased past Inter Miami and their form looks unstoppable right now.
Despite this, New York City is still a +155 underdog to beat Montreal. This is because of Montreal’s impressive home record, but it still sits behind the MLS Cup champions by six points heading into this game.
At the same time, while New York City won its last four games, Montreal could get only two wins this time, losing 4-0 to LA Galaxy and 2-1 to strugglers Sporting Kansas City.
New York City to win 2-1 is +900 with DraftKings.
Best Bet of the Week
Austin +145 at Kansas City +155
After losing to the Red Bulls in stunning fashion, Austin is now +145 to beat Kansas City in a game it has to win to keep pressure on Los Angeles.
Against the Red Bulls, Austin found itself 2-0 down at halftime before losing 4-3. Sebastian Driussi stole the show for Austin that day, as he scored twice in that loss.
Despite the loss, scoring three against a Red Bulls side that previously only let in 22 goals in 21 games is impressive. What's more, Los Verdes is still way ahead of the majority in the Western Conference after scoring the most goals in the league so far with 45 from only 22 games.
Kansas City has also already let in an incredible 40 goals this season, which should make this game relatively comfortable for Austin.
Austin to beat Kansas 3-1 is +1900 with FanDuel.
Team of the Week Last Week
Toronto
Although this could have gone to the Red Bulls after their stunning win against Austin, we’ve gone for Toronto after it registered its best win of the season so far.
Toronto schooled Charlotte 4-0. What's even more impressive, however, is how it sat seven points behind Charlotte before the game and has the second-worst defensive record in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto also had only four shots on target in the game, meaning it scored from all four efforts on goal. It was a monumental day for the club, as Federico Bernardeschi scored and assisted while his compatriot, Lorenzo Insigne, also got introduced to MLS action.
Bernardeschi looks right at home in the MLS, and he could score again here.
Bernardeschi to score first for Toronto against New England Revolution is +900 Caesars.
Player of the Week Last Week
Michael Bradley, Toronto
Despite the two Italians grabbing the headlines before the game, it was the captain and legendary figure of Michael Bradley that stole the show for Toronto against Charlotte with his two goals. To put his performance in perspective, his two goals in that game mean Bradley is now on course for his best goal-scoring season if he can net just two more.
The Toronto captain was in excellent form. Every attacking move went through him, and his two goals were taken very well.
Bradley's first was a fantastic header from a corner that looked impossible to score from. His second was even better, as the American ran through the Charlotte defense to chip the ball beautifully past Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.
Toronto to beat New England Revolution 2-0 is +3500 with DraftKings.
Hardest Game to Call
Cincinnati +230 at Inter Miami +100
Only three points are separating Cincinnati and Inter Miami heading into a showdown in Florida and a win for Miami could rocket it into a playoff spot.
Neither side is in winning form right now, making this game impossible to call. Six games have passed since Cincinnati defeated Orlando City, with five draws and one loss in its last six matches.
Miami's last win came two games ago against Charlotte. But, it also lost to Barcelona 6-0 in a friendly and then New York City 2-0 last weekend.
What's more, the last two times these teams have met have yielded very different results. In October of last year, Miami beat Cincinnati 5-1. Fast forward to March this year, and Cincinnati would beat Miami 3-1.
A tie in this game seems to make sense.
A tie in this game is +250 with FanDuel.
Throw Ins
These are some other bets worth a look on this week’s schedule:
- New York City to beat Montreal 2-1, 3-1 or 4-1 is +500 BetMGM.
- A draw at half time and a win at full time for Minnesota against Portland is +425 at PointsBet.
- Atlanta United to beat Chicago Fire is +2200 at FanDuel.
- A tie between Dallas and LA Galaxy is +245 at DraftKings.
- Philadelphia to win both halves against Houston Dynamo is +140 at Caesars.
Power Rankings
- LAFC ↔
- Philadelphia Union ↔
- New York City FC ↔
- New York Red Bulls ↑
- Austin FC ↓
This Week’s Schedule with Moneylines (All Times Eastern)
Friday
- Seattle Sounders (+480) at Los Angeles (-210), 11 p.m.
Saturday
- Portland Timbers (+290) at Minnesota United (-130), 3 p.m.
- Atlanta United (+240) at Chicago Fire (-110), 5 p.m.
- Columbus Crew (+175) at Charlotte (+140), 7 p.m.
- Houston Dynamo (+370) at Philadelphia (-160), 7:30 p.m.
- New York City (+155) at Montreal (+140), 7:30 p.m.
- Toronto (+350) New England (-170), 8 p.m.
- Vancouver (+440) at Nashville (-180), 8 p.m.
- Cincinnati (+230) at Inter Miami (+100), 8 p.m.
- Austin (+145) at Kansas City (+155), 8:30 p.m.
- LA Galaxy (+210) at Dallas (+110), 9 p.m.
- Real Salt Lake (+185) at SJ Earthquakes (+120), 10 p.m.
Sunday
- Orlando City (+190) at DC United (+125), 5 p.m.
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