OUR man Stateside Will Dyer (@w2Dyer) gives us four bets to back in this weekend's MLS.
Portland Timbers v Chicago Fire | Saturday 04:00
Chicago have lost six of their last seven MLS away games to Western Conference sides dating back to July 2014 by an aggregate score of 15-3. They have not won any of their nine away games this season, nor have they won any of their last 18 away games, exceptionally poor if I do say so myself.
David Accam had other ideas last weekend which saw them end Dallas’ winning streak but I’m still happy to oppose the Fire on the road. Portland hold a W6 D4 L1 record at home this season and have won their last two against Eastern Conference sides; New England and DC United, two of the East’s best sides so Chicago don’t represent a testing proposition.
Sorry to tip a short price with the Timbers but I think it’s banker material and will go nicely in any multiples, I wouldn’t bother with any handicaps as Portland don’t seem to mind settling for a one goal margin and Fire have yet to be humiliated this season.
Orlando City v Philadelphia Union | Sunday 00:30
This fixture just stinks of goals. Orlando have seen 20 in their last three MLS games, absolute madness. MLS in general has just catapulted onto a different level in the last few weeks. Philly’s last five games have all gone Over 2.5 and nine of their 12 away games in all competitions this year have gone over.
As predicted, Cyle Larin was right amongst the action last weekend. The Lions also played in midweek and were absolutely dominated by Toronto. That should work in our favour as I expect tiredness to prevent them from controlling the game throughout.
Philadelphia might ship goals but they have scored in 10 of those 12 away games this year and should get on the scoresheet with their range of attacking options. Watch out for Cristian Maidana, I’m certain he’ll start firing soon.
Over 2.5 looks overpriced at the minute with the way things have been going in recent weeks. Neither of these sides know how to shut up shop once they’ve taken the lead.
LA Galaxy v Seattle Sounders | Sunday 21:00 | Sky Sports 1
I had a feeling that goals would be a nice price in this fixture. Indeed Seattle’s last two visits to the StubHub have ended in 1-0 defeats but, with Clint Dempsey rested for Seattle’s midweek CONCACAF clash with Vancouver and Obafemi Martins set to return, I think Sounders stand a great chance of scoring.
LA have had a hectic schedule with their involvement in the International Champions Cup and Steven Gerrard’s high profile move. They have played eight games since the 2nd of July, that’s too many. They have also kept just six clean sheets in their last 27 games in all competitions this season.
Over 2.5 is a similar price but I think this is one of those ties that stands a great chance of being 1-1. Seattle don’t get battered and I expect them to comfortably end LA’s current record of four or more scored in each of their last five home domestic games. It’s BTTS for me.
New York Red Bulls v New York City FC | Monday 00:00
The third New York derby of the season, it’s getting pretty boring now…right? Wrong. It seems nothing is boring with New York City. 65 goals in either end in 22 games this season, 22 in their last four.
It isn’t just Red Bull that gives you wings, since the end of NYC’s horrid spell, David Villa has grown some of his own and soared to third on the top scorer chart.
Andrea Pirlo has taken to the Sky Blue of NYCFC; the man’s like some sort of footballing Jesus. Is there anyone in the world that doesn't like him? He could dink cheeky penalties past England goalkeepers for the rest of his life and no one would have a bad word to say about him.
Anyway, his ‘Impact’ wasn’t enough to stop Montreal running away with the three points last weekend and neither was Frank Lampard’s debut off the bench.
Both previous encounters have ended in Red Bulls winning with both teams scoring and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that happen again here, however, I expect this to be a bit of a slaughtering.
Red Bulls have been in cruise control this last month, dominating possession and chances has seen them win five of their last seven MLS games and I think they’ll open up a can of ‘Whoop Ass’ on NYCFC here.
Shaun Wright-Phillips joins his brother Bradley at the Red Bull Arena and even though SWP has been off our radars for a while I think he’ll find plenty of joy in MLS. I can see him combining wonderfully well with BWP and Lloyd Sam and as a result I fancy NYRB to bag at least three on Sunday night.
It promises to be a thrilling game with the all-star cast of Pirlo, Villa, Lampard and the Wright-Phillips brothers, tune in!
Best Bets
Portland Timbers v Chicago Fire – Portland Timbers to win (8/11 Coral)
Orlando City v Philadelphia Union – Over 2.5 Goals (5/6 BetVictor)
LA Galaxy v Seattle Sounders – Both Teams To Score (19/20 Betway)
New York Red Bulls v New York City – New York Red Bulls to score 3+ goals (21/10 William Hill)
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