Article- The Week 6 MLS “Toll Booth”
Week 6 is upon us and that brings a new week and some new sportsbook bets! Last week we did a great job with mid-week games, Saturday games, and Sunday games. Below is my accountability for the week, skip to the dotted line if you want only this week’s predictions.
Mid-Week bets were available only via twitter, so make sure to follow @i80_Sports if you have not already! As you can see, we went 6-4 and went up 3.18 Units on ten bets this week. Let’s see how my big predictions of the week went.
Game- LA Galaxy host Austin FC
Pick- LA Galaxy to win (+115)
Result- 2-0 Galaxy Win
As I predicted Chicharito scored, and as has been the case this season, when Chicharito scores- the Galaxy win. Austin looked tight with possession and passing accuracy- but in the end lacked the quality to find the back of the net. I predicted stars would win this game, and Sebastian Lletget and Chicharito stepped up.
Game- Philadelphia Union host RBNY
Pick- RBNY to win (+280)
Result- Philadelphia 1-0 win
Not only did Philadelphia beat a rested RBNY team after playing mid-week, they had almost half possession and landed 5 of their 12 shots on frame AND looked the more energetic side. RBNY has defensive problems now with Amro Tarek leaving in the 36th minute with a knock (replaced more than capably by Edwards) and Aaron Long going down with a ruptured Achilles. Saturday was a terrible day for RBNY in both the short and long term.
Game- Colorado Rapids host Houston Dynamo
Pick- Colorado Rapids to win (-120)
Result- Colorado Rapids win 3-1
Colorado dominated possession (62.6%) and they dominated the scoreline against the travelling Houston Dynamo. I mentioned the age and suspect nature of the Dynamo back line in my article, and they came out with only 3 men (Figueroa, Parker, Fuenmayor) and took the realy heat, going down by 3 goals before halftime. One of my favorite USMNT youngsters Sam Vines got one in the net 29 minutes in and COlorado never relinquished the lead.
MLS Week 6 Toll-Booth Picks
Game- Portland Timbers host LA Galaxy
Pick- LA Galaxy and Draw (-110)
Portland Timbers have had a rough go of 2021 thus far, sporting a 2-1-3 record while scoring 6 and allowing 8. Nowadays their injury report is also looking more robust than it should- with Diego Chara, Mabiala, Paredes, and Blanco all listed as OUT.
The Galaxy have found early success with a 4-0-1 record and scoring 10 goals over those 5 games. Golden Boot leader Chicharito has been spectacular- scoring 7 goals to start the 2021 season. This week they travel to face a Portland team that is always in top shape at home- and are being given +300 by Vegas. The double-chance for win and draw is almost even money, and that is the safer bet this week.
Key to the Game-
As good as Chicharito has been thus far, he can't do it alone for much longer. No player on the Galaxy has 2 assists, which means they will need better connections if they want to sustain their early success (and get a result in Portland).
I expect to get some wing play going in this one- possibly Grandsir or Lleget getting penetration against Timbers' fullbacks Claudio Bravo and Pablo Bonilla. Gone are the days of "whip it into the box; Zlatan is there" so if Galaxy can get some better service they can leave Portland with a difficult away result.
Game- FC Dallas hosts Real Salt Lake
Pick- FC Dallas (-115)
Dallas has struggled early but I expect them to go full-out and get a result this weekend. Toyota Stadium has been an absolute CITADEL for FC Dallas over the past few seasons, and I think the home team has an excellent chance this week when they face off against Freddy Juarez and Real Salt Lake.
RSL has been up and down this season- beating Minnesota and SKC before losing to the Quakes (in Wondo-mania) and having a boring nil-nil draw with Nashville. Reinforcements are coming soon in the form of Bobby Wood, but for now I really don't know what to expect from Real Salt Lake.
Key to the Game-
RSL is poor at defending the wings and I would expect Dallas to play a three man backline to take advantage of wingers stretching the field. Jader Obrian has been a revelation for Dallas- averaging over 30 touches a game, completing 77% of his passes including 81% of short and 84.6% of medium distance passes. Can he take advantage at home in week 6? I think so- he is one of my players to watch this week!
Game- Houston Dynamo host Vancouver Whitecaps
Pick- Vancouver to Win or Draw (+145)
These are long odds, and this is my upset pick of the week!
Vancouver looked decent at times this season before their two-loss week in week 5. Let's keep in mind, though, that they traveled TO Minnesota and TO Kansas City before taking those losses. Now they have time to relax and head to Houston to play a team that lacks consistency and, more importantly, lacks a defense.
I talked about the age and questionability of the Houston backline last week, so I wont repeat that here. Let's just say that I see more 3 goal games in their future than clean sheets.
Vancouver is DUE for a result and the odds makers are just slinging disrespect their way. Earlier this week Vancouver to win was over +500 and settled at a cool +460. I prefer the double-chance win or draw at +145 because those are odds I just cant pass.
Key to the Game-
Stars need to step up for the Vancouver Whitecaps this season. Lucas Cavallini has one goal and two yellow cards in 2021- NOT the start he wanted to this campaign. If he can get right this week and join a producing Cristian Dajome these attackers can have their way against Dynamo and find some tough away points in Texas.
As always, i80 Sports suggests you check local laws before placing any sports wager. The odds you see here are from legal sports betting outlets in the state of NJ. It is your responsibility to know and to follow the law.
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These picks are made in conjunction with information provided and are not influenced by anyone outside the i80 Sports team. While we hope they are correct (and we help YOU have success), i80 Sports, its writers, or contributors cannot be held liable for any gambling losses.
