June 24th, 2023- Major League Soccer Best Bets + Sportsbook Picks
Welcome back to another edition of i80 Sports Toll booth- the best place on the web for Major League Soccer Sportsbook Picks!
We had a mixed bad with last week's picks; there was a wild week of action, mid-week matches, and an international break. All things considered, I am still looking at being up 3.86 units as we cross the season's halfway point.
Take a look at our last picks below, and keep reading for 5 great matches to play this weekend.
Match- DC United hosts FC Cincinnati
Pick- FC Cincinnati +220
FC Cincinnati have only dropped points in 5 of their 18 matches this season; they have 13 wins, 4 draws, and 1 loss. This weekend they head to DC to face a team which has only managed 1.33 points per game at home, including a recent mid-week loss to Real Salt Lake.
Say it with me now- when FC Cincinnati are plus money, we bet on Cincy. And this week, at +220, they far surpass the designated mark of a required bet.
Key to the Match-
Both teams will be without some heavy hitters, including Cincy who will be missing Brenner, Brandon Vazquez, and Matt Miazga. How did they fare with a similar roster last week? They beat Toronto 3-0.
I think the comparison between Toronto and DC is apt; both teams have a small smattering of heavy hitters, but have not played nearly to full potential this season. Cincy, however, are the better system team. They saw players like Santiago Arias, Ian Murphy, and even Dominique Badji step up to the occasion and look like the same first place team they have been all season.
Let’s cash early on a +220 bet and move on to see what the rest of the week holds.
Match- NY Red Bulls host Atlanta United
Pick- Over 2.5 Goals -105
Red Bull are far from the early season defensive juggernaut they appeared. While they have seen only 31 goals in their 18 matches this season (a stingy 1.72 total goals per match), that trend seems to be reversing of late. Their offense is scoring, finally, and their defense is also allowing goals.
In the past 2 matches RBNY have lost 0-3 and drew 2-2. Their defense will be without John Tolkin, one of the team’s most consistent players to date.
Key to the Match-
RBNY will face a side without Miles Robinson or Luis Abram, and even WITH both players, Atlanta has had a suspect at best defense. Their 31 goal against is worst in major league soccer, and averages out to 1.6 goals allowed per match.
Both teams have the ability to put up major points, and I think 3 total is an absolute given here. A much less confident choice would be win, loss, or draw. This game is open for the taking.
Match- Austin FC hosts Houston Dynamo
Pick- Houston Dynamo +0.5 -125
Austin FC got a statement win earlier this week at home against their other Copa Tejas opponent- FC Dallas. This weekend, they face who I believe to be a tougher opponent, the Houston Dynamo. Since this is a rivalry match, I am going to discredit the home advantage just a bit. Houston is decisively the better side, and Austin has been straight disappointing this season.
Key to the Match-
Houston is 2-0 against Austin in their first two meetings this season, and I think this will have a similar outcome to the first two. However, the kicker here is winning on the win OR the draw, by using the Houston +0.5 spread pick. At -125 the odds are decent enough.
Austin is 4-3-3 at home this season, which is far from the 9-7-3 record they achieved last season. They are beatable outright, and this should be a great rivalry match regardless.
Match- Real Salt Lake hosts Minnesota United
Pick- Real Salt Lake +112
Real Salt Lake is on a 4-1-0 tear, and are probably the hottest team in the west. That run brought them to 7-5-7 on the regular season, and has taken some of the pain out of their poor start. They have been uncharacteristically bad at home, but play Minnesota United who are one of the worst traveling teams in the league.
Salt Lake City will look to take advantage of their geographical home advantage- playing at a high altitude venue. This has worked well against Minnesota, who have never beaten them in Minnesota.
Key to the Match-
Part of RSL’s recent ascent is production from their top contributors: Damir Kreilach, Jefferson Savarino, and Pablo Ruiz. They will look to solidify this production before adding, in the near future, former MLS star Chicho Arango.
Bonus Match- San Jose Earthquakes host St. Louis City
Pick- San Jose Earthquakes +115
Bonus Picks are for when we really pinpoint some great odds. San Jose Quakes are 6-3-0 at home and match up nicely against St. Louis this week. St. Louis has a 3-1-4 away record this season and has gone 0-1-4 in their last 5.
Use this MLS After Dark pick to solidify a great week of MLS picks. Enjoy, and good luck!
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