MLS Picks, Odds and Best Bets for Sunday, July 12
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
While MLS has expelled FC Dallas and Nashville SC from the bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex outside of Orlando, Fla. due to a cluster of positive COVID-19 test results, the MLS is Back Tournament rolls on with a total of 24 teams.
Six of those MLS teams will be in action on Saturday, and the league has scheduled games for 9:00 a.m., 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET to avoid the hottest part of the Central Florida day.
Toronto FC will be back in action for the first time since a 1-0 victory over New York City FC back on March 7. Their game was pushed back two days from Friday after arriving late into the bubble on Monday, giving them very little time to prepare. DC United won the last time they took the pitch, topping Inter Miami CF by a 2-1 score on March 7.Sporting KC and Minnesota United FC square off in the early-evening game. KC sat atop the table with two victories, convincing 3-1 wins over Vancouver and a 4-0 blasting of Houston on March 7 before the pause. Minnesota found the back of the net eight times in their first two games while posting a plus-5 goal differential, second only to Sporting KC.
In the late-night battle, Real Salt Lake and Colorado lock horns at 10:30 p.m. ET. Real was fitted to be tied in their first two outings, playing to a scoreless draw in the opener against Orlando City SC before battling to a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls on March 7. Meanwhile, the Rapids were on the opposite side of things, winning each of their first two games with a plus-2 goal differential.
For bettors keeping track of the totals, the ‘under’ was 3-1 through Friday's games, while favorites are a perfect 3-0 with one draw.
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MLS is Back Tournament
Sunday's Best Bets
Toronto FC vs. DC United (**Postponed**)
Date: Sunday, July 12Time: 9:00 a.m. ET
TV: ESPN/ESPN Deportes
MLS Betting Odds
Toronto FC (-135)
DC United (+300)
Draw (+280)
MLS - Money-Line Pick
Draw (+300)
Draw is the best play on the board in this early-morning match. First off, it's early. Really, early. The teams will be even more sluggish than usual. Add in the fact they're playing their first competitive game for the first time in over four months and the offensive chances will be fewer and farther between than usual.MLS Over-Under Pick
Under 2.5 goals (+126)
The 'Under' is a value play here, as again, it's an early-morning start, and both sides will look like they're running in sand initially. Before the pause we saw Toronto net three goals in two matches with a plus-1 goal differential, while DC scored three and allowed three in two matches.Prediction
Toronto FC 1, DC United 1
Bet the Draw (+280) at FanDuel!Sporting Kansas City vs. Minnesota United
Date: Sunday, July 12Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN/ESPN Deportes
MLS Betting Odds
Sporting KC (+135)
Minnesota (+155)
Draw (+260)
MLS - Money-Line Pick
Sporting Kansas City (+135)
The two top-scoring teams in the MLS, albeit through just two matches, lock horns in the early-evening game, and the marquee battle on Sunday's slate. KC erupted for seven goals through the first two matches while allowing one goal, pacing the MLS with a plus-6 goal differential. If anyone can hang with them offensively, it's certainly Minnesota. They posted a plus-5 GD in the first two, but look for KC to edge them here.MLS Over-Under Pick
Over 2.5 goals (-164)
You'll have to eat a little chalk here, but it will be worth it. Over 3.5 (+154) is a pretty tall order, but is a value play if you're feeling it. I'd go all-in on the latter if it wasn't for the fact both clubs are coming off a four-plus month hiatus, so there is certainly to be some rust even on the most prolific offenses.Cash the Over 2.5 at FanDuel!
Prediction
Sporting Kansas City 2, Minnesota United 1
Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado
Date: Sunday, July 12Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN/ESPN Deportes
MLS Betting Odds
Real Salt Lake (+125)
Colorado (+175)
Draw (+250)
MLS - Money-Line Pick
Colorado (+175)
A sample size of just two matches doesn't give us much to go on. However, if you look at Games 1 and 2, the Rapids were playing much better all-around than Real Salt Lake. Colorado bagged four goals while allowing two, good for a plus-2 goal differential. Meanwhile, RSL managed a pair of draws while managing to hit the back of the net just once in two matches. The Rapids should have enough firepower to win a third game in three tries.MLS Over-Under Pick
Under 2.5 goals (-104)
As mentioned, Real Salt Lake had it on lockdown defensively through the first two matches, yielding just one goal. The Rapids coughed up just two goals in the first two battles this season. The offensive chances should be few and far between, and a scoreless draw similar to Friday's match wouldn't be shocking in the least. However, it's likely the Rapids break the ice for at least one.Prediction
Colorado 1, Real Salt Lake 0
Score big with Colorado (+175) at FanDuel!Odds provided by FanDuel
Odds Subject to Change (T&C's Apply, 21+, US Legal States Only)
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