MLS Picks, Odds and Best Bets for Friday, July 17
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
In Friday's action, FC Cincinnati (+220) picked up the huge 1-0 upset of Atlanta United FC, an absolute stunner. Especially so after Cincy was blasted by Columbus 4-0 in their opener of the MLS is Back Tournament. Speaking of the Crew, they handled the New York Red Bulls by a 2-0 margin to clinch their group, and also post the best mark in the Eastern Conference with a plus-6 goal differential in the first two matches.
We'll have three evening matches on Friday, with DC United and New England squaring off at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. In the other 8 o'clock battle, Colorado looks to rebound after a setback against Real Salt Lake in their opener. However, a battle against high-octane Sporting Kansas City will be a difficult test. KC is looking to bounce back after a stunning 2-1 loss to Minnesota United in their first foray into the bubble.Real Salt Lake and Minnesota get together in the 10:30 p.m. ET match on ESPN, and both sides are looking to stay perfect after opening-night victories.
For bettors keeping track of the totals, the ‘over’ is 9-8-1 through Thursday's games, after a strong start by unders. Favorites are now 12-3-3 in the first 18 games inside the bubble despite Cincinnati's giant upset.
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MLS is Back Tournament
Friday's Best Bets
DC United vs. New England
Date: Friday, July 17Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN/ESPN Deportes
MLS Betting Odds
DC United (+220)
New England (+100)
Draw (+260)
MLS - Money-Line Pick
New England (-1, +310)
The past two times these sides have hooked up, both left with an unsatisfying draw. The last time was a 2-2 battle on July 13, 2019, so it's been a while. We've also had just two clean sheets across the past six battles, so you can expect both sides to find the back of the net. Paul Arriola (ACL), Emmanuel Boateng (hamstring) and Chris Seitz (calf) are each on the shelf, and Junior Moreno (suspension) will miss this one due to a red card against Toronto. The Revs are much healthier, and they'll flex a little muscle in this one. The value play here is taking the Revs on the spread, as you can triple up with a win of two or more goals.MLS Over-Under Pick
Over 2.5 goals (-154)
DC played to a 2-2 draw against Toronto in their first match in the bubble, while scratched out a 1-0 win against Montreal. So who will dictate the pace of the game? I expect the Revs to win this one, but look for both sides to score, and for New England to score quite a few more.Cash the Over 2.5 at FanDuel!
Prediction
New England 3, DC United 1
Bet the Over 2.5 (-154) at FanDuel!Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado
Date: Friday, July 17Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2/ESPN Deportes
MLS Betting Odds
Sporting Kansas City (-120)
Colorado (+260)
Draw (+270)
MLS - Money-Line Pick
Sporting Kansas City (-120)
KC was stunned in their opening match against Minnesota, as United scored two goals in stoppage time in the second half to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory over Sporting. It was a tough result to stomach. Look for Kansas City to take out their frustrations on the Rapids, who were also on the short end in their first battle. Colorado fell 2-0 to Real Salt Lake in their first match. The Rapids won a 3-2 shootout against KC in the most recent meeting on Sept. 22, 2019. Expect a little bit of payback in this one.MLS Over-Under Pick
Over 2.5 goals (-152)
Over has been the rule lately after a slow start. The early unders were to be expected after a long layoff. However, teams are starting to get their sea legs in Florida, knocking off the rust. Sporting Kansas City has the potential to take care of the over all by themselves.Cash the Over 2.5 (-152) at FanDuel!
Prediction
Sporting Kansas City 3, Colorado 1
Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United
Date: Friday, July 17Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
MLS Betting Odds
Real Salt Lake (+155)
Minnesota United (+135)
Draw (+260)
MLS - Money-Line Pick
Minnesota United (+135)
Minnesota snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat, bagging two markers during stoppage time in the second half to deal rival Sporting Kansas City a very, very painful loss. Look for United to parlay that victory into another win, riding the wave of that emotional win to the top of their group. Minnesota is 3-1-2 across the past six head-to-head battles with Salt Lake, including a 3-1 win in the most recent battle on Sept. 15, 2019.MLS Over-Under Pick
Over 2.5 goals (-152)
Playing the over is the way to go here. Both sides have scored in five of the past six head-to-head battles in this series, and we have seen four or more goals in three of those outings. Minnesota is averaging 2.0 goals per game in the past six against Salt Lake, while Real has a total of eight markers in the six-match span, notching at least one goal in each of the battles.Prediction
Minnesota United 2, Real Salt Lake 1
Score big with Minnesota (+135) at FanDuel!Odds provided by FanDuel
Odds Subject to Change (T&C's Apply, 21+, US Legal States Only)
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