MLS Betting: Back goals in top of the table showdown in DC

Conference leaders should entertain

DC United v Los Angeles FC
Saturday, 20:00

There's a real heavyweight clash in DC on Saturday when the leaders of both conferences go head to head, and I'm pretty sure that there'll be fireworks.

Ben Olsen's DCU have won three of their first four, looking rock solid in the process, while LAFC have been the League's great entertainers, scoring multiple goals in each of their games so far, and leading the way in the early season Supporters Shield standings.

With LAFC full of goals, and DCU excellent at home, it's a difficult one to call in terms of the Match Odds market. Olsen's team have won their last seven home games, conceding just twice in the process, but the way that LAFC play will draw them out, and this could end up being a shootout.

DC are more than capable in front of goal, with plenty more options than just Wayne Rooney, and I wouldn't be surprised if they get the job done, but my feeling is that this will be a high scoring draw, one which showcases the improved quality of MLS, and one that should be richly entertaining.

Sad San Jose

San Jose Earthquakes v Portland Timbers
Sunday, 01:00

Regular readers of this column will know that I've always been a fan of staying on a train until it goes past its destination, and opposing the San Jose Earthquakes has been so fruitfulso far this season that I'm happy to keep ploughing that furrow, in a spectacular paragraph of mixed metaphors.

San Jose were dreadful, again, last week as they fell apart here against LAFC, and they come into this game looking to avoid a fourth consecutive home defeat.

Portland are in a poor run of form of their own, losing their last three, but I think that they can grab a first win of the season here, as they are a decent side on a bad run, whereas their hosts are just a poor team.

Matias Almeyda must continue to wonder what he has walked into at San Jose, and his team has now scored just twice this season, and conceded 14 times. There is no confidence in the squad, and both players and fans seem to expect to be beaten every week, which makes the atmosphere at Avaya Stadium a tough one in which to play.

I appreciate that Portland's halting start seems to give San Jose a chance, but I think the Timbers have a wonderful opportunity to get off the mark, and I believe that it's one which they'll take with some glee.

Loons surprise NYRB

New York Red Bulls v Minnesota United
Sunday, 00:00

I've made it clear in this column that I'm a fan of Minnesota United and the work that they have done under Adrian Heath, and they head to the New York Red Bulls with more than the outside chance that the market is giving them.

The Red Bulls may have won their two previous games against Minnesota by a 3-0 scoreline, but this is a much changed Loons squad, and even though they've lost their last two games, they've performed well in them, and as they reach the end of their five game run of away matches which is starting their season, I think that we'll see another strong display here.

As for the home team, they went down in their last home game against Orlando which was a huge shock, and Chris Armas will be keen to get his side back on track here. They looked a long way from their usual selves in that defeat, and then a subsequent loss against a poor Chicago Fire side, and with a goal start, I think that Minnesota can do the business for us here.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Back Over 3.5 Goals in DC United v LAFC @ 2.40 

Back Portland Timbers to beat San Jose Earthquakes @ 2.40

Back Minnesota United +1 on Asian Handicap v NYRB @ 2.60