MLS expert Luke Beaumont (@_LukeBeaumont) analyses Saturday night's action from across the pond.
DC United v Montreal Impact | Sunday 30th October 2018, 00:00 | Sky Sports
DC United host Montreal Impact on Saturday night in what can only be described as a six-pointer when it comes to the race for the play-offs.
It is set up perfectly as Montreal currently occupy the final play-off spot, whilst DC United are five points adrift but possess two games in-hand. A defeat for either would be a hammer blow, but a win would put them in pole position to make the post-season.
Home advantage is going to be key since DC (19/20 Bet365) have made their new home Audi Field a fortress. Ben Olsen’s side have won six of their last eight at home, and they even gave league-leaders Atlanta United a 3-1 beating.
It is going to be a tough task for Remi Garde’s Montreal Impact who simply cannot afford to lose this game. The Impact had an impressive away win last time out in Philadelphia, however they are not consistent enough on the road.
The Canadian side have only won 3/15 away from home in 2018, I can’t see them taking anything home from the U.S. capital.
LA Galaxy v Vancouver Whitecaps | Sunday 30th October 2018, 03:00
This is another game that will be pivotal in the race for the play-offs, but this time we have a Western Conference match-up between the unpredictable LA Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps.
LA Galaxy’s season looked over following a seven-game streak without a win, which lead to the departure of head coach Sigi Schmid. However, last weekend the Galaxy surprised a lot of people with an impressive 3-0 victory over in-form Seattle Sounders, putting them just three points outside of the play-offs.
Vancouver are in eighth, just behind the Galaxy after falling out of the play-offs places. They too chose to relieve their manager of his duties. Welshman, Carl Robinson, was sacked during the week after back-to-back home defeats against play-off rivals Seattle Sounders and FC Dallas.
I am expecting an LA Galaxy win in this fixture, but I am going to look at the Anytime Goalscorer market. Zlatan Ibrahimovic at 5/6 (SkyBet) is worth considering…
The big Swede has been impressive as ever this season, bagging 18 goals in what has been a poor LA side. He has also scored in his last two outings, including a famous ‘karate’-style goal against Toronto, which was the 500th of his career.
Don’t bet against Zlatan continuing his scoring streak at home against Vancouver, who have been leaking goals of late.
Best Bets
DC United v Montreal Impact – DC United to win (19/20 Bet365)
LA Galaxy v Vancouver Whitecaps – Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score anytime (5/6 SkyBet)
