MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER expert Luke Beaumont (@_LukeBeaumont) analyses the action from Saturday's football from across the pond.
Chicago Fire v Colorado Rapids | Saturday 20th April 2019, 18:00
The Chicago Fire will be licking their lips as they prepare to take on a Colorado Rapids side who have lost five of their last seven games, including four on the spin as they enter this game.
The Fire will be hopeful of building some confidence and scoring some goals against the Rapids who have conceded a woeful 11 goals in their last three games. Colorado scored five goals themselves in their last two outings against Orlando and D.C. United, so they will be incredibly disappointed to have taken nothing from those fixtures.
Veljko Paunovic’s Fire are on a run of three games without defeat and they will see this weekend’s clash with Colorado, who are atrocious on the road, as an opportunity to extend that and build some momentum at home.
The Fire to beat the Rapids with Over 1.5 Goals looks good at 5/6 with Paddy Power, especially when you consider the fact that Colorado have lost their last four games on the trot and they all featured a minimum of three goals.
Atlanta United v FC Dallas | Saturday 20th April 2019, 21:00 | Sky Sports
Atlanta United take on FC Dallas on Saturday evening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in their third home game of the season after underwhelming results against FC Cincinnati and Philadelphia Union.
Atlanta have been far and away the most exciting team in MLS over the last couple of years, under the guidance of now Mexico coach, Tata Martino. Now, under the management of Frank de Boer and experiencing a change in footballing philosophy, the Five Stripes haven’t quite been themselves.
Usually destructive at home, the reigning MLS champions have struggled at the Mercedes-Benz so far, failing to edge past FC Cincinnati and Philadelphia Union, two sides that they really should be beating on home turf.
Atlanta had scored at least twice in nine straight home games before the change of manager over the winter. Five games into the 2019 season and Frank de Boer’s men are yet to feature in a game that sees three or more goals.
I am expecting a win for Atlanta but yet another low-scoring affair involving the Five Stripes. You can back Under 2.5 Goals at 11/10 with SkyBet.
Best Bets
Chicago Fire v Colorado Rapids – Chicago Fire to win and Over 1.5 Goals (5/6 Paddy Power)
Atlanta United v FC Dallas – Under 2.5 Goals (11/10 SkyBet)
