MLS Picks - Matchweek: 24
Another weekend of Major League Soccer action is upon us and as usual there’s no shortage of stories and plot lines to draw upon. There’s a clash between East coast rivals at Red Bulls Arena while the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders will also face off in Carson. Here are four tips for the weekend in MLS.
New York Red Bulls v New England Revolution
Red Bull Arena, Saturday August 17
There is no denying that Bruce Arena has made a difference at the New England Revolution. In essence, he has made the Gillette Stadium side harder to beat, illustrated by the fact they are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 league games.
The Revs have also enjoyed success on the road, scoring two or more goals in each of their last five away games. They should give the New York Red Bulls a decent test. There has been over 2.5 goals scored in nine of the Red Bulls’ last 11 matches and they have scored at least twice in each of their last six games at Red Bull Arena. This East coast clash is a difficult one to call.
1u - Back Both Teams To Score @ -212
FC Cincinnati v New York City FC
Nippert Stadium, Saturday August 17
This season was always going to be difficult for FC Cincinnati given that this is their first ever year as an MLS franchise, but even with that in mind this is turning into a season to forget. They have failed to win any of their last five games, losing five of their last six at home. FC Cincinnati’s issues can be traced back to their defensive record which has seen them conceded at least twice in 12 of their last 13 matches.
New York City FC come into this game on the back of a tough loss to Atlanta United. The Bronx side are not impenetrable either, conceding two or more goals in their last three league outings. There has been over 2.5 goals scored in NYC FC’s last six matches and there’s a good bet that the goals will largely be theirs at Nippert Stadium this weekend.
2u - Back New York City FC To Score 2+ @ -137
Dignity Health Sports Park, Saturday August 17
The LA Galaxy ended a streak of three straight defeats with a victory over FC Dallas during the week and so the Carson club should come into this heavyweight clash against the Seattle Sounders with renewed optimism. Before that win over FC Dallas, the Galaxy had conceded two or more goals in each of their last five matches and had been losing at half time and full time of their last three.
The Sounders also come into this game in poor form, winning just one of their last six games in the league. Brian Schmetzer is surely concerned by the leakiness of his defence which has conceded nine goals in the last three games. The 3-0 away defeat to Real Salt Lake during the week was most worrying for Seattle.
0.75u - Back Draw @ +280
Real Salt Lake v Los Angeles FC
Rio Tinto Stadium, Saturday August 17
It’s been a rough week for Real Salt Lake. Mike Petke was sacked as head coach following his use of a homophobic slur during a game and so nobody is quite sure what to expect from the Utah side this weekend. However, the form book makes for good reading from an RSL perspective having won four of their last six games.
Los Angeles FC are still the team to beat in the Western Conference, though, winning three of their last four and six of their last seven. Bob Bradley’s team have also scored two or more goals in each of their last five league games, which isn’t that surprising given the potency of their attacking line. This could be the match-up of the weekend in MLS.
1.25u - Back Total Goals Over 2.5 @ -200