MLS Betting Advice: Defending Champs Could Make a Big Move
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After some exciting games last the weekend, Major League Soccer returns with some midweek action for 11 games across Tuesday and Wednesday. We’ve put together our betting advice for the fixtures, picking the best bet of the week, the toughest game to call, and the game of the week to keep an eye on.
Game of the Week
New York City (+155) at Dallas (+140)
The defending MLS Cup champions, New York City FC, is just one point behind the New York Red Bulls in the race for the Eastern Conference title, but with two games in hand, it also finds itself with a chance to go five points clear at some stage.
To do so, the Pigeons must get past a Dallas team that is within a shout of finishing in the Western Conference top three. It currently sits on seven wins and five defeats after another draw in the last game extended its winless run to five games.
New York City is the narrow underdog to win here, and with at least three goals being scored in its last five games, we’re picking there to be three goals in this extremely important game for both sides.
Exactly three goals in this game is +300 with Caesars.
Best Bet of the Week
Real Salt Lake (+270) at Atlanta United (-130)
Atlanta United is in a must-win situation in this game if it wants to have a solid chance of challenging for the playoffs anytime soon. RSL also has to win to keep up the pressure on Austin in second, who is seven points ahead.
Salt Lake is on a winless run of three games, and that has meant a huge change in the odds heading into this one. At the same time, RSL's 10-point lead on Atlanta will give it great confidence in getting the win here, especially as Atlanta is coming off the back of losing on home soil to Austin 3-0.
Salt Lake is the underdog, but based on recent results and the difference in the overall table between the two, for our soccer betting, we’re backing Salt Lake to win.
Salt Lake to win 2-1 is +2500 with DraftKings.
Team of the Week Last Week
Philadelphia Union
The Union smashed D.C. United 7-0 in its recent game, and that win put it on the level on points with the Red Bulls in the fight for the Eastern Conference title.
Philadelphia had 12 shots on target in the game, and had a total of 24 chances created with 55% of ball possession.
It was pure domination from Philly from start to finish, and it is the narrow favorite at Inter Miami on Wednesday. If Philadelphia produces a performance even remotely like the one it showed against D.C United, it could be another sensational performance from the Eastern Conference side.
A 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 win for the Union against Inter Miami is +350 with BetMGM.
Player of the Week Last Week
Julian Carranza, Philadelphia Union
Our pick for the best player is an easy one, too. Within the seven goals, it was Carranza who stole the show with a hat-trick in the Union’s win.
The 22-year-old Argentine had six shots on target, and his three goals now mean he has scored seven goals in 16 MLS matches.
Mikael Uhre also deserves a mention here, as he scored twice inside 14 minutes for Philadelphia, but Carranza is a clear winner for our player of the week pick. He faces off against Inter Miami this weekend, where one of the league's most topsy-turvy sides in the Eastern Conference awaits.
Carranza is +600 to score first against Inter Miami with FanDuel.
Hardest Game to Call
Columbus (+175) at D.C. United (+130)
Coming off that 7-0 demolition by Phildaelphia, D.C. United is +130 to beat Columbus Crew on home soil. It will also be the last game that Chad Ashton coaches D.C. United with Wayne Rooney set to take the helm in the forthcoming days.
The D.C United players now have a point to prove to both Rooney and to its fans after registering one of its worst results in MLS history. Columbus is also in desperate need of a win to get back into the playoffs as it currently sits just one point behind Cincinnati in seventh.
The Crew also defeated Chicago Fire 3-2 last time out in a thrilling game in Chicago. Now, with another game on the road for Columbus to deal with, it could find itself on the opposite side of a rejuvenated D.C. United performance
A tie in this game is +250 with DraftKings.
Throw Ins
These are some other bets worth a look on this week’s schedule:
- Austin to beat Houston 2-1 is +800 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Minnesota to win to nil against Kansas is + 230 at PointsBet Sportsbook.
- Toronto to beat Chicago by exactly 1 goal is +650 at FanDuel Sportsbook.
- Miami and Philadelphia to tie is +230 at BetMGM Sportsbook.
- Josef Martinez to score first against Salt Lake is +400 at Caesars Sportsbook.
Power Rankings
- LAFC ↔
- Austin FC ↑
- New York City FC ↑
- New York Red Bulls ↓
- Philadelphia Union ↑
This Week’s Schedule with Moneylines (All Times Eastern)
Today
- Houston Dynamo (+300) at Austin (-135), 9 p.m.
Wednesday
- Real Salt Lake (+270) at Atlanta United (-130), 7:30 p.m.
- Vancouver Whitecaps (+320) at Cincinnati (-150), 8 p.m.
- Toronto (+380) at Chicago Fire (-170), 8 p.m.
- Kansas City (+320) at Minnesota United (-140), 8 p.m.
- Philadelphia (+135) at Inter Miami (+175), 8 p.m.
- Columbus Crew (+175) at D.C. United (+130), 8 p.m.
- Seattle Sounders (+280) at Nashville (-115), 8:30 p.m.
- New York City (+155) at Dallas (+140), 9 p.m.
- Orlando City (+290) at Colorado Rapids (-125), 9 p.m.
- San Jose Earthquakes (+390) at LA Galaxy (-185), 10 p.m.
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