Predictions and Best Bets for This Weekend’s MLS Games – July 3-4, 2021

If you’re looking for some MLS predictions and betting picks for this weekend, you’ve certainly come to the right place.

Following another jam-packed week of Major League Soccer action, the best teams in North America return to do it all again this weekend.

Can the Sounders extend their unbeaten start to the season when they visit Colorado this weekend? Will struggling Toronto finally come good against DC United? Can Real Salt Lake upset the MLS odds against LAFC?

I share my answers to all of those questions – and a whole lot more – as I take you through my predictions and picks for MLS Week 10.

Let’s get going!

New England heads into this clash on a five-game winning streak, having dispatched the Red Bulls twice in the space of a month, along with New York City, Cincinnati, and Columbus.

Funnily enough, the Revs – who currently find themselves two points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference – face Columbus this weekend and will be confident of doing the double over Caleb Porter’s side.

The 2020 MLS Cup champions haven’t had it all their own way this year, especially in recent games. After losing to Philadelphia, the Crew was held to a goalless draw by Austin last time out.

I expect Colombus to put up a decent fight on Saturday, but I’m confident New England will come out on top.

What the hell has happened to Toronto FC?

Remarkably, the Reds have only managed to win one of their ten MLS matches this season, recording two draws and seven defeats along the way. Worse still, they head to Washington on a five-game losing stretch.

Believe it or not, DC United currently sits eight points ahead of Toronto in the East. Hernan Losada’s men have lost just one of their previous four outings and have claimed four wins this term.

Although DC has picked up some solid results of late, TFC has more than enough quality to snatch a draw at Audi Field.

I’d be lying if I said that I hadn’t been impressed by CF Montreal this year. I mean, the Canadians have only suffered three losses in 2021 and are currently enjoying a three-match unbeaten streak.

Unfortunately, I can’t say that I’ve enjoyed watching Inter Miami this season. The Herons’ roster is stacked with big names, yet the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Blaise Matuidi have flattered to deceive recently.

Given that Phil Neville’s men have lost each of their last four games, I’m backing Montreal to secure their second win of the season over the Florida strugglers this weekend.

If the Herons are Florida’s strugglers, then the Lions are the Sunshine State’s high-fliers. The reason I say that is because Orlando has only lost one game all year.

Oscar Pareja’s men sit just two points behind first-place New England in the East, having notched six wins and three draws in 2021. With Daryl Dike back alongside Nani in attack, it feels like the Lions are the team to beat right now.

The Red Bulls trail Orlando by eight points in the standings following a disappointing run of two wins in six matches (three losses, one draw). With that in mind, the Lions should prevail at Exploria Stadium.

Despite sealing a dramatic 3-3 draw with Philadelphia last time out, Chicago has been dreadful this season. Last weekend’s draw ended a run of seven losses in eight games for the Fire, leaving them rock bottom of the Eastern Conference.

As for the Five Stripes, they have only won two of their ten matches this year. But they have also suffered just two defeats. Ultimately, six draws have prevented them from climbing the ladder.

A trip to Chicago provides Atlanta with the ideal opportunity to return to winning ways, so I’m backing Gabriel Heinze’s side to see off the Fire this weekend.

The congested nature of the Western Conference means there is only a four-point gap between fifth-place Minnesota and eleventh-place San Jose. That said, the two sides are moving in opposite directions.

The Loons kicked off the 2021 campaign with four straight defeats but have yet to taste defeat since then (four wins, two draws). Meanwhile, the Quakes won three of their opening four games but have failed to win any of their last seven (one draw, six losses).

You get the picture, right?

Nashville and Philadelphia have played a combined total of 21 games this year. Significantly, they have only registered three losses between them. When you consider that statistic, Saturday’s meeting between the teams is destined to be a tight match.

The Boys in Gold marked the beginning of their season with a seven-game unbeaten streak before losing to the Red Bulls last month. However, they bounced straight back with a 3-2 victory over Toronto in the previous round.

Elsewhere, the defending Supporters’ Shield champs lost two of their first three outings in 2021 but since managed to chalk up a seven-match unbeaten streak (five wins, two draws).

With ten draws between them this term, Nashville and Philly look set to cancel each other out at Nissan Stadium.

Sitting pretty in sixth place over the West, Houston will be extremely pleased with how the season is panning out. The Texans have only lost three of their 11 games this year, picking up three wins and five draws in the process.

Granted, Cincinnati has turned the corner recently. After winning just one of their first six matches this season, Jaap Stam’s men head into the weekend on the back of two straight clean-sheet victories over Chicago and Toronto.

Cincy still has a long way to go, though. If the hosts bring their A-game on Saturday, they should be able to dispatch Stam’s side without any real issues.

Led by Damir Kreilach (five goals, three assists) and Rubio Rubin (four goals, three assists), Real Salt Lake has continuously upset the MLS odds this year – so much so that Freddy Juarez’s men currently find themselves above LAFC in the West.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say that LAFC is in trouble just yet. But if the Californians don’t start winning games regularly, they will find it difficult to cement a top-seven berth at the end of the regular season.

Having lost four of their previous seven outings, the Black & Gold travel to Utah in poor form.

I can see RSL rising to the occasion and claiming another notable scalp this weekend. With Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi struggling for consistency, Kreilach and Rubin could steal the show at Rio Tinto.

FC Dallas came from absolutely nowhere to stun New England last weekend, claiming a shock 2-1 victory over the Eastern Conference leaders. Next up, Vancouver visits Toyota Stadium.

The Whitecaps made a promising start to life in 2021, losing just one of their opening four matches this year. However, they head to Texas on a woeful run, having registered one draw and five defeats in their past six encounters.

It goes without saying that Dallas will be brimming with confidence after seeing off the Revs last time out. For that reason, I’m backing the Toros to post back-to-back wins for the very first time this season.

Following a 2-2 draw last time out, Seattle is STILL the only unbeaten team in Major League Soccer this year.

Not only are the Sounders the second-highest scorers in the West (20), but they also boast the best defensive record (7). Raul Ruidiaz has been lethal in attack, while deputy goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland has stepped up admirably.

In fairness, the Rapids have also caught my eye this term. With five wins coming in their previous seven outings, they won’t go down without a fight this weekend.

Having said that, Seattle’s astonishing run looks set to continue at DSG Park, as Brian Schmetzer’s men should be too strong for Colorado.

Regardless of the result, LA Galaxy’s meeting with Sporting KC is bound to dish up tons of goals.

The Wizards are the top scorers in the West (22), but they have one of the worst defensive records, too (15). Greg Vanney’s men have also conceded 15 goals this season, while only two sides have scored more.

With second-place SKC sitting two points ahead of third-place Galaxy, I can see the two sides producing a draw in Carson.

If you’re looking for some in-depth analysis for this match, make sure you check out my LA Galaxy vs. Sporting KC betting preview below.

Having checked out the MLS odds over at the best online sportsbooks, I have found three top betting picks for Major League Soccer this weekend.

Here are my best bets for MLS Week 10.

The bookies offer odds of around 1.70 for Orlando to beat RBNY, and while I think that is a decent price, there is far greater value elsewhere.

Boasting the best defensive record in the Eastern Conference, the Lions have only conceded seven goals in ten matches this season. On that of that, they have achieved five shutouts.

With the off-form Red Bulls up next for Pareja’s men, I’m backing them to keep another clean sheet this weekend.

Seattle at 2.90 to win an MLS game? Yes please!

It is no secret that Colorado is enjoying a solid season. Still, the Sounders have been the best team in the league by some distance this year, so backing them to beat the Rapids makes perfect sense.

Let’s not forget that Seattle hasn’t tasted defeat this year, while Colorado lost 3-1 to SKC last time out.

The great thing about this matchup is that both teams love to score goals. At the same time, neither side seems to be able to keep the ball out of their own net.

Following last weekend’s 3-1 victory over San Jose, eight of the Galaxy’s ten matches in 2021 have produced over 2.5 goals. Meanwhile, three of SKC’s last six outings have dished up more than three goals.

More of the same, please!