Thu 19/05/2016 - 04:43 EDT

MLS Weekend Preview

MLS Weekend Preview

There are some intriguing soccer matching in the latest round of the 2016 Major League Soccer season including the eagerly anticipated New York derby between NYCFC and the Red Bulls.

MLS Weekend Analysis & Betting Lines

By Matt Pitt

NYCFC (+130) vs. New York Red Bulls (+205)

Mike Grella

The Yankee Stadium is the place to be this weekend because NYCFC take on their rivals New York Red Bulls in what should be an epic clash.

Red Bulls won all three meetings in 2015, but their form in 2016 has been erratic at best, with many pundits already writing off their chances of MLS Cup glory despite the Red Bulls climbing to fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 midweek victory over lowly Chicago Fire.

NYCFC go into this match on top of the Eastern Conference, and clear by one point. Their home form is 1-1-4 showing that the “field” they play on doesn’t suit them as well as their opponents, and with the Red Bulls winless on the road (0-5-1) this fixture has tie written all over it.

It may be worth looking for odds on Bradley Wright-Phillips finding the back of the net in this game because he scored in all three matches against NYCFC last year, and is long overdue another goal to add to the three he has scored this term.

Pick: Tie at +240

Toronto FC (+100) vs. Columbus Crew SC (+265)

Sebastian Giovinco

This Trillium Cup match ends a run of four consecutive games at Toronto FC’s BMO Field and I believe they will sign off with a win against an out of sorts Columbus Crew FC.

Toronto’s home form is 1-1-1 with Crew being without a win in five road trips, losing three of those games. The Crew have been struggling for goals this season having only found the back of the net 12 times, and five of those goals came from Kei Kamara, whose public fallout resulted in him being traded to the New England Revolution.

Sebastian Giovinco has scored eight of Toronto’s 14 goals in 2016, so you may be correct in thinking that if Crew can stop him from receiving the ball then they could return home with at least a point. The problem is that they won’t be able to stop him, and he could be the difference between the two sides on Saturday.

Pick: Toronto FC at +100

L.A. Galaxy (-227) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (+575)

L.A Galaxy

L.A. Galaxy have won four and tied one of their five home games in 2016, while San Jose Earthquakes have lost three and tied two of their five away games, so a home win, right? Of course it is a home win, and the betting odds reflect that.

Galaxy are priced at -227 to win this game, something they should do comfortably. The MLS’ top scorers this season with 24 goals, 16 of those coming in the last five games, should be far too strong for an Earthquakes side that has leaked 14 goals in 11 games.

With the Galaxy being so short priced, the Quakes are a huge +575, which means if you bet $10 on a Quakes win, you’ll be $10 lighter come the end of 90-minutes. 

The last two meetings between the two sides at the StubHub Centre have seen Galaxy win 3-1 and 5-2. Expect a similar scoreline this weekend.

Pick: L.A. Galaxy at -227

Other Matchday 12 Fixtures

Chicago Fire (+120) vs. Houston Dynamo (+220) – Tie at +230

New England Revolution (+125) vs. FC Dallas – Tie at +240

Orlando City (+125) vs. Montreal Impact (+220) – Montreal at +220

Sporting Kansas City (-120) vs. Real Salt Lake (+340) – Sporting KC at -120

Seattle Sounders (+110) vs. Colorado Rapids (+240) – Tie at +230

Portland Timbers (+100) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (+245) – Portland at +100

A look at Sebastian Giovinco’s amazing start to the 2016 MLS season

Category : News

More articles...
News - 24/02/25
The Auburn Tigers Are Among Our Picks to Reach the 2025 Final Four 

The end of the regular season is almost here for college basketball. Where in the world has the time gone? Soon enough, conference tournaments will be underway and then hoops fans will shift their focus to March Madness. Several teams are considered top contenders to go all the way. With that said, the Auburn Tigers […]

News - 12/02/25
Carolina is a strong Favorite to Win the 2025 Eastern Conference 

Things have been moving fast for the National Hockey League, as the playoffs are going to get here before you know it. Thus far this season, several teams have emerged as the key contenders to win the Stanley Cup. At the same time, multiple franchises have set themselves apart out east. With that said, Carolina […]

News - 11/02/25
Mac McClung is the Favorite to Win the 2025 NBA Slam-Dunk Contest 

What: 2025 NBA All-Star Slam-Dunk Contest Where: Chase Center in San Francisco, California When: Saturday, February 15 at 8 p.m. ET How to watch: TNT In the blink of an eye, we've reached NBA All-Star Week, as the best players on the planet are going to be ready to put on a show this weekend […]

News - 05/02/25
The Philadelphia Eagles Are Our Pick to Win the 2025 NFL Super Bowl 

What: 2025 NFL Super Bowl Who: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs Where: Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana When: Sunday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. ET How to watch: FOX And then there were two. After an unreal NFL regular season and postseason thus far, only the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles remain in […]