MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER expert Luke Beaumont (@_LukeBeaumont) analyses the action from Week 4 from the new season across the pond.
FC Dallas v Colorado Rapids | Saturday 23rd March 2019, 22:35
Another dreaded international break is upon us, and you are probably thinking there’s no decent club football on the tele this weekend, right? Wrong. The Major League Soccer campaign continues, and New York Red Bulls versus Orlando City is Sky Sport's game of choice for Saturday night.
First up, FC Dallas host the Colorado Rapids in a non-televised bout. Dallas have had a mixed start to the season with a win, draw and loss from their opening three games. The win came against LA Galaxy at Toyota Stadium where they are ever so strong year on year.
Colorado have collected two points from their first few games and they are still on the search for their first win of the season. They were so close to getting it last time out against Sporting Kansas City until an 88th minute Johnny Russell free-kick broke their hearts.
Dallas should carry on their unbeaten home form and make it seven points out of nine, however they will want to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat in Columbus. Fortunately for them, they are set to face the Rapids who are notoriously dreadful on their travels. They have only won twice away from home in their last 21 attempts – dating back to September 2017.
New York Red Bulls v Orlando City | Sunday 24th March 2019, 00:30 | Sky Sports
Next up is New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City, an 11:30pm kick off on Saturday night which Sky have chosen to televise.
The Red Bulls have had a good start to the season, taking four points from their first two games. They sit 5th in the Eastern Conference despite having played a game less then everyone else. They earned a point on the road in Columbus on the opening weekend before brushing San Jose Earthquakes aside last time out at Red Bull Arena- an impressive 4-1 victory from a game that saw them go behind after just five minutes.
Orlando City have begun 2019 in very Orlando fashion. It has been a shaky start for the Lions which has seen them take just a couple of points from their first few fixtures. They were beaten 3-1 on home soil in last weekend’s game against Montreal Impact.
The addition of Nani was a good one for Orlando, but it is always going to be defensive frailties that will cost them, and that was clear to see against Montreal when the Canadian side opened the scoring in the 14th minute before doubling their lead a minute later, directly from kick off.
I am concerned for an Orlando City side who are searching for their first win of the season and have to face both New York Red Bulls and an in-form D.C. United next…
The betting angle
FC Dallas are currently priced at 8/15 and the New York Red Bulls are shorter at 2/5. Short prices but they are two teams I would certainly include in your Saturday coupon. I am liking the look of the double which pays even money for two home sides who should pick up routine wins.
Best Bets
FC Dallas v Colorado Rapids
New York Red Bulls v Orlando City
FC Dallas and New York Red Bulls to win (1/1Bet365)
