i80 Sports Tollbooth- MLS Weekend Picks
Just a few fun facts before we get started- last weekend MLS matches were heavily weighed towards home teams- with the hosts going 8-3-2.
You can find our Toll Booth articles for each prior week at i80sports.com- make sure you bookmark and check back often as we review and recap each week in Major League Soccer. We are up over 30 units this season- lets continue with some easy money this week.
Match- Inter Miami host RBNY
Pick- Inter Miami +105
How is this game even money? The HOME TEAM should be heavy favorite here- with Miami winning 3 straight and going 4 wins and a draw in their last 5 matches.
RBNY in that time span has 1 win, 1 draw, and 3 losses (it feels like those were all lost leads, too). Red Bull have no identity and a coach in Gerhard Struber who is telling fans that it is a “year of growth” and that the playoff streak will likely end.
Key to the Match-
Gonzalo Higuain has had a hot and cold MLS career thus far- from making comments about playing with a cigarette in his mouth (to fans’ criticism) to scoring some incredible goals and helping Inter Miami get to where they are in the standings today.
RBNY has no defense that can withhold the Miami attack- and Higuain will score one way or another (re: that 2020 goalazo at RBA). This game is a no-brainer.
Match- Toronto FC host Nashville SC
Pick- Nashville SC +130
Let us, for a second, push aside that Nashville is 2nd in the east on a 3 game winning streak AND that Toronto hasn’t won a soccer game since July 25th (!!!). Toronto will be without Pozuelo with a lower body injury AND Kemar Lawrence on a red card suspension. Nashville, in this one, should be near full strength.
Now, let us go back to their current form AND how Nashville is somehow at PLUS MONEY this weekend. Vegas has this line terribly wrong and were about to drop a BOMB on this in sportbook (do it right now, before the line moves any more!!).
Key to the Match-
We are usually wary of Nashville on the road- they lead the league with 11 draws this season. HOWEVER, with Orlando in a tough matchup with Philadelphia this week, Nashville have a chance to improve on their 3 point lead for second place.
Look for the usuals to get on the scoreboard- I would love to see Hany Mukhtar to continue his recent contributions by putting one in the net here.
Match- Minnesota United host LA Galaxy
Pick- LA Galaxy +260
Both LA teams- the Galaxy and LAFC- have fallen off my radar for sportsbook purposes as of late. They have both struggled and been in mixed form this season, but that changes this week.
Minnesota is reeling after a 4-0 loss to Sporting KC this week, and LA Galaxy seems poised to get back in the win column after three straight draws. I don’t LOVE love the Galaxy here, it just seems that anyone getting +260 against Minnesota United right now should make it in your betting portfolio.
Key to the Match-
Chicharito is back and looking to get back on the scoresheet this weekend against Minnesota. I would personally like to see him connect with Grandsir who seems relegated to sub duty after a hot and cold start to the season.
Minnesota will likely be without Robin Lod, Emanuel Reynoso, Hassani Dotson, and Juan Agudelo, so Galaxy also have a depth advantage heading into this weekend.
Match- Philadelphia Union host Orlando City
Pick- Philadelphia Union -130
You know I love the underdog picks for sportsbook purposes, but here I need to show some love to the home team! Philadelphia Union are on the outside looking in after a tough stretch with 2 losses and a draw in their last 3 matches.
Orlando, on the other hand, aren’t helping themselves either. They capped off a two game losing streak with both Nani AND Andres Perea red card suspension, which only adds to their availability problems. Chris Mueller is nursing a foot injury and should miss the weekend match, meanwhile Jhegson Mendez is with Ecuador.
Key to the Match-
Philadelphia has struggled putting the ball in the net as of late- scoring only 3 times in their last 5 games (and 0 times in their last two). They come home this week looking for Przybylko and Sergio Santos to bring back that connection we saw earlier this season- and fill up that onion bag. DOOP
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