MLS Picks - Matchweek: 6
Another weekend of Major League Soccer action is upon us and as usual there’s no shortage of stories and plot lines to draw. The marquee match will take place at Audi Field as the leaders in the East and West face off, but right the way through the division there are things to draw the eye. Here are four tips for this weekend’s games.
Audi Field, Saturday April 6
This is the headline act in MLS this week. Both these teams have enjoyed good starts to the 2019 season, with DC United top of the Eastern Conference and Los Angeles FC top of the Western Conference. Neither side has suffered a defeat in the league so far this season, so will something give at Audi Field this Saturday?
Whatever the final outcome you can almost be certain there will be goals. There have been over 2.5 goals in 21 of LAFC’s last 24 MLS games. Bob Bradley’s Californian outfit have also scored two or more goals in each of their last six outings. DC United can’t quite match those stats in terms of goalscoring, but they did put five past Real Salt Lake in their last home game.
2u - Over 2.5 Total Goals @ -200
BMO Field, Saturday April 6
After a dismal 2018 season, Toronto FC have raced out of the starting blocks at the start of the 2019 campaign, winning all three of their matches so far. The standout performance came last weekend, though, when big winter signing Alejandro Pozuelo lit up BMO Field with a Man of the Match performance.
The Chicago Fire won their first game of the new season last weekend, but they have lost nine of their last 10 away matches in MLS, while TFC have won eight of their last nine clashes with the Fire in all competitions. The Canadians look to be firing on all cylinders, scoring seven times in their last two outings, and will be strong favourites here.
1u - Asian Handicap Toronto FC-1 @ -110
Rippert Stadium, Sunday April 7
What an impact FC Cincinnati have made in MLS. Before last weekend, they sat as high as second in the Eastern Conference, winning two and drawing one of their opening four games. Defeat to the Philadelphia Union might have been something of a dampener on things, but FC Cincinnati are still a force to be reckoned with.
Despite Sporting KC thumping Montreal 7-1 in their last game, expect this to be quite a tight affair. Sporting KC have only conceded four times all season, while FC Cincinnati have clean sheets in two of their five games. Peter Vermes’ visitors might, on the balance of form, be the favourites, but MLS’s newest expansion side are certainly worth a punt.
0.5u - FC Cincinnati Win 3-Way ML @ +125
Vancouver Whitecaps v LA Galaxy
BC Place, Friday April 5
Only one point off the foot of the Western Conference, the Vancouver Whitecaps have struggled to get going over the early part of the 2019 season. On the other hand, the LA Galaxy have won three from four and have scored at least two goals in five of their last five MLS outings. The form book doesn’t look good for the Canadians.
Having said that, the Caps are unbeaten in their last five home games against the LA Galaxy. On the other hand, though, the Galaxy have kept clean sheets in five of their last seven matches against Vancouver. Despite this, the Carson club have struggled to keep a clean sheet this season and while they will be favourites, the Whitecaps can fancy their chances of finding the net.
1u - Both Teams to Score @ -225