MLS Betting Advice: Closing In On the Halfway Mark of The Season
We are approaching the halfway stage in the 2022 MLS season, but with so many frantic results to this point, we are still far away from being able to confidently predict who will make the playoffs in the race for the MLS Cup.
Last week, the Philadelphia Union stunned New York City to move to the top of the Eastern Conference and Los Angeles FC registered arguably its best win to date against the New York Red Bulls.
After that eventful week, we look ahead to Wednesday’s games to give you advice for your soccer betting.
Game of the Week: Austin +230 at Charlotte +110
There’s so much riding on the game between Austin and Charlotte, as both come into this one knowing that a win could rocket them closer to their respective aims for the season.
Austin is one point behind second-seed Real Salt Lake with a game extra to play, while Charlotte can move into the playoffs with a win and other results going in its favor.
It’s going to be a close match, and one that could seriously alter the MLS tables.
A tie in this game is +230 with BetMGM.
Best Bet of the Week: Philadelphia Union +210 at Chicago Fire +110
Philadelphia heads back on the road as it travels to Chicago. The Union recently defeated the defending MLS Cup champions, New York, and it has now moved to the top of the Eastern Conference and second overall.
Despite that win, it is still the underdog to a Chicago side that is at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and 15 points behind the Union. Now, with seven wins on the board for Philadelphia, along with 22 goals and only 12 conceded, it is the best bet of the week against Chicago.
Philadelphia is +400 to beat Chicago and see over 2.5 goals.
Team of the Week Last Week: Los Angeles
It’s no surprise to see Los Angeles again come in as the best team of last week. After defeating the Red Bulls 2-0, it is headed toward another excellent season.
Cristian Arango got LAFC on the board after 67 minutes and Diego Palacios continued his fantastic form with another goal three minutes later.
Steve Cherundolo's team now remains at the overall top seed and the Red Bulls moved into seventh. It was LAFC's first shutout in three games, and it came against a New York side that has scored 26 goals in 17 games.
LAFC is +275 to beat Dallas 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 this week.
Player of the Week Last Week: Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Jaroslaw Niezgoda came up big in Portland’s 3-0 win against Colorado last week.
His first goal was scored off a pass from across the field, which he plucked out of the sky with ease to make it 2-0. The Polish striker then added a second with an effort from close range after intelligently reading the pass from Eryk Williamson.
Niezgoda’s two goals in the victory over the Rapids give him five goals in 13 MLS games. He faces off against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday, and he is +400 to score first in the game and +150 to score anytime.
Hardest Game to Call: Columbus +140 at Toronto +160
These teams head into this game with the same number of points in the Eastern Conference. Columbus has beaten Toronto once this MLS season, making this game even more important for Bob Bradley's men.
Toronto defeated Atlanta United over the weekend with a goal each from Ralph Priso and Jonathan Osorio. The Crew tied with Salt Lake 0-0 in their last game, which was a commendable result considering how RSL is third in the overall table and 11 points above them.
The Crew remains the underdogs with a point to prove.
A tie in this game is +270 with BetMGM.
Throw Ins
These are some other bets worth a look on this week’s schedule:
- Philadelphia to beat Chicago 1-0, 2-0, or 3-0, +425 at BetMGM.
- Seattle to beat Montreal 2-0, +850 at PointsBet.
- Jesus Jimenez to score first against Columbus, +550 at FanDuel.
- LAFC to beat Dallas and over 2.5 goals, +135 at DraftKings.
- NYCFC to win the second half against Cincinnati, +145 at Caesars.
Power Rankings
- LAFC
- New York City FC
- Real Salt Lake
- Philadelphia Union
- New York Red Bulls
This Week’s Schedule with Moneylines (All Times Eastern)
Wednesday
- Cincinnati (+240) at New York City (+100), 7:30 p.m.
- Toronto (+150) at Columbus (+165), 7:30 p.m.
- Chicago (+135) at Philadelphia (+185), 8 p.m.
- Seattle Sounders (-120) at Montreal (+290), 10 p.m.
- LA Galaxy (-135) at Minnesota (+330), 10:30 p.m.
- LAFC (-155) at Dallas (+360), 10:30 p.m.
- Portland (-140) at Houston Dynamo (+330), 10:30 p.m.
Thursday
- Charlotte (+110) at Austin (+230), 7 p.m.
- New York Red Bulls (-145) at Atlanta United (+360), 8 p.m.
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