MLS Betting: Cracking Columbus to provide more entertainment

Columbus Crew v Atlanta United

Sunday, 00:30

Columbus didn't disappoint us last week against Montreal in a game that always looked like being high-scoring, and this match has a similar feel.

We have a recent formline in Atlanta's 3-1 win against the Crew just two weeks ago, and given that Columbus have scored at least once in each of their home games so far this season, there's no reason at all why styles won't combine for more goals this weekend. 

Atlanta are powerful at home, poor away, which isn't uncommon in MLS, and they've allowed 2.2 goals per game in their last five away fixtures. With the Crew continuing their recent goalscoring form against Montreal last week, and with Tata Martino's Atlanta always likely to press high, play open, and produce results like their midweek 3-2 Cup defeat in Miami, I think that odds against about there being at least four goals in this one makes a lot of sense. 

I still believe that Atlanta have a chance of winning MLS Cup in their first season, as they'll be so dangerous should they make the post-season, but they're still a work in progress, and that will likely lead to a defeat in Ohio, and more goals.

Recommended Bet

Back Over 3.5 Goals in Columbus Crew v Atlanta United @ 2.20

Sporting Kansas City v Portland Timbers

Sunday, 00:00

Sporting KC may be flying at the top of the Western Conference, but the squad named by the US Coach Bruce Arena for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup has affected Peter Vermes and his side more than any other MLS team, and we must treat them with caution over the next month or so.

SKC host the Portland Timbers this weekend, and will have to do so without three key players: Graham Zusi, Matt Besler and Dom Dwyer. Zusi and Besler are two key players in a rock solid backline, and while Dwyer hasn't been as prolific in 2017 as in previous years, the English born centre-forward will be much missed. When you add to that the absence of the injured Benny Feilhaber, you realise that SKC have problems. 

That weakens Vermes' team considerably, and while their record of having won 13 of their last 17 home games is hugely impressive (they've drawn the other 4), it has to be under threat this weekend from a Portland side who are poor away from home, yet untroubled by the USMNT.

The Timbers played well at home against Seattle last week, and were unfortunate to concede a late Clint Dempsey equalizer. While they've lost their last five away games, there are reasons to believe that they can put a dent in SKC this weekend: the return to form of Fanendo Adi, the continuing excellence of Diego Valeri, the emergence of Dairon Asprilla as a key player.

I know that Sporting won at Houston in midweek in the Cup without the key men they'll be missing on Saturday, but that was a poor Houston XI, and this will be a very different test.

On the face of it, 1.80 for a home win looks a good bet, but the personnel issues indicate that SKC are a lay at that price, and we should bet accordingly.

Recommended Bet

Lay Sporting KC v Portland Timbers @ 1.80

Chicago Fire v Vancouver Whitecaps

Sunday, 00:00

Given their recent form, it was a surprise to see Chicago Fire lose at Cincinnati in the Cup in midweek. They're back on home soil now, and look set to continue their excellent recent run.

Vancouver are a curious team, though. They never seem to hit the heights or make headlines, but are quiet achievers under Carl Robinson, and given that they've won three and drawn one of their last four against the Fire, recent history gives them something to hold on to.

Chicago are a changed franchise this season of course, and so those results may be less relevant that in other cases, but the Whitecaps have now scored in five consecutive games on the road, and the Fire will be feeling the pressure of going for a single season record eight consecutive home wins.

Vancouver have won twice away from home, and only one of their four defeats (weirdly, at Real Salt Lake) has come by more than a single goal. They've already done well in Portland, Montreal and Houston, and I think that they'll make life a lot harder for Chicago than the stats might suggest.

There's obviously a faint worry that this could be another blow-out, but Vancouver don't get blown out very often, and they have a better chance of getting away with a draw or more than the prices suggest.

Recommended Bet

Back Vancouver Whitecaps +1 v Chicago Fire @ 2.50