Okay soccer betting enthusiasts, with the 2019 Major League Soccer season heating up along with the quickly rising temperatures, it’s time to take a look at three MLS matchups that all look like they’re offering some excellent value over the course of the coming week. With that said, let’s find out who’s in action and who’s looking like they’re offering the best value in their respective matchups.
Top Soccer Betting Picks of the Week – May 20th Edition
No. 2️⃣ vs. No. 3️⃣ in @MLS Power Rankings ⚔ #PHIvSEA
➡️ https://t.co/KJlN6iYqRx pic.twitter.com/kCQFTgeXjA — Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 18, 2019
Vancouver Whitecaps (3-4-6) at New York Red Bulls (5-2-5)
- When: Wednesday, May 22 at 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ
Why Bet On Vancouver?
Vancouver sits in ninth place in the Western Conference, having suffered twice as many losses (6) as wins (3) this season. The good news however is that the Whitecaps have gone an encouraging 2-1-1 over their last four matches including a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night as Derek Cornelius scored the equalizer on a volley four minutes into stoppage time.
Why Bet on New York?
New York is sitting in sixth place in the Western Conference, but the Red Bulls will enter this match with some nice momentum after going 2-0 over their last two matches and 3-0-1 over their last four overall. New York picked up a hard-fought 1-0 win over Atlanta as Tom Barlow scored his first career Major League Soccer goal in the 65th minute.
Expert Analysis and Prediction
Vancouver has scored a modest 12 goals in 13 games while allowing 16. Conversely, New York has put 17 on the board in 12 games while allowing 14. Don’t think long and hard about this one soccer betting buffs. The Red Bulls have put three goals on the board in two of their last four matches and they’re the deeper, more cohesive team in this matchup.
Soccer Betting Pick: NY Red Bulls 2 Vancouver 1
L.A. Galaxy (7-1-5) at Orlando City SC (4-3-6)
- When: Friday, May 24 at 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, FL
Why Bet On Orlando?
Orlando is in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, but they managed to snap a three-game losing streak by smacking Cincinnati senseless in their dominating 5-1 win on Sunday as Nani and Tesho Akindele each scored a pair of goals to lead the way to victory. Orlando has scored 19 goals in 13 matches while allowing 20 defensively.
Why Bet On LA Galaxy?
Los Angeles has lost four straight including a 1-0 loss against previously winless Colorado on Sunday. Andre Shinyashiki scored in the 82nd minute to give the Rapids their first win of the 2019 MLS season. Now, the Galaxy will look to snap out of their funk in this one and they’ve got some good new in the fact that superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be back on the pitch after getting suspended for two matches for grabbing the neck of New York City FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson on May 11. L.A. has scored 18 goals in 13 matches while allowing 17.
Expert Analysis and Prediction
Los Angeles might be struggling mightily right now, but the Galaxy are still the better team in this pairing and I’m expecting them to get the huge win in this one despite being on the road. I think the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic is going to have a positive effect on the Galaxy, both on the field and confidence-wise. I also believe sheer desperation I’m going with L.A. to win in a hard-fought affair.
Soccer Betting Pick: LA Galaxy 2 Orlando 1
Portland Timbers (3-2-6) at Philadelphia Union (7-3-3)
- When: Saturday, May 25 at 7:30 PM ET
- Where: Talen Energy Stadium, Philadelphia, PA
Why Bet On Portland?
Portland bounced back from a difficult 1-0 loss to Vancouver in their previous match to record a 1-1 draw against Houston on Wednesday night as Brian Fernandez scored after making his MLS debut as a second-half substitute. Fernandez finished off a 77th-minute chance created by Sebastian Blanco after entering the match in the 65th minute. The draw was the sixth of the season for Portland who sits in 10th place in the Western Conference standings with 14 goals scored an 22 allowed.
Why Bet On Philadelphia?
The Union had won three straight until playing Seattle to a goalless draw on Saturday. Andre Blake made one save for Philly in his return from a four-game absence for a Union team that has outscored their opponents 14-3 during their 4-0-2 mark in their last six matches. Philadelphia sits in first place in the Eastern Conference with an impressive 23 goals scored and just 12 allowed in 13 matches.
Expert Analysis and Prediction
This weekend MLS pick is as easy as pie with Philadelphia being an elite and legitimate title contender and Portland nothing more than an afterthought this season. Philly will cruise to the easy two goal win in this one!
Soccer Betting Pick: Philadelphia 3 Portland 1
