Predictions and Best Bets for MLS Games on Sunday, August 29, 2021

We have three MLS games to bet on this Sunday, August 29.

Texas rivals Austin and Dallas kick off Sunday’s action before Vancouver hosts RSL at BC Place. Seattle and Portland then wrap up the weekend schedule at Lumen Field, reigniting the oldest rivalry in North American soccer.

Anyway, you’re here for my MLS predictions and picks, right?

Before we get stuck into my predictions for all three MLS games on Sunday, August 29, let’s take a quick look at the schedule in full.

Austin and Dallas have played a combined total of 41 MLS matches this season. Yet, they have only managed to pick up five wins apiece. As a result, second-bottom Austin sits three points behind third-bottom Dallas in the Western Conference.

Although Los Verdes’ maiden MLS campaign has been tough, they have secured a number of positive results along the way. Two high-scoring wins over Portland underline their ability – and they have also beaten Colorado, Minnesota, and Houston this year.

The Toros, on the other hand, have won just one of their previous five games and head into Sunday’s clash on a three-match winless run. They have conceded 30 goals this season, too, giving them one of the worst defensive records in the division.

Ultimately, it feels as though Austin rise to the occasion whenever an important game goes down at Q2 Stadium. Having beaten the other Texas team – Houston – on home soil earlier this month, I’m backing Josh Wolff’s men to get the better of Dallas on Sunday.

Believe it or not, the Whitecaps are currently enjoying an eight-match unbeaten streak. Granted, they have picked up five draws in that time. But they will be confident of avoiding defeat this weekend.

Following a run of five straight draws, Vancouver beat Austin 2-1 before beating LAFC by the same scoreline last time out. They now find themselves tenth in the West – four points behind sixth-place Real Salt Lake.

There is no hiding from the fact that RSL has been pretty unpredictable of late. In fact, they have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign. Sitting on a record of 7-6-7, the Utah club can’t afford too many slip-ups if they want to reach the playoffs.

That said, Freddy Juarez’s men can count themselves unlucky to have lost to Colorado last weekend. They enjoyed the lion’s share of the ball and even racked up 17 shots, but they ended up suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat.

Having taken everything into account, I can see this clash ending in a draw. Both teams have won two of their last three matches, so this is likely to be a tight battle.

Remember what happened when Portland hosted Seattle a fortnight ago? If you don’t, then let me remind you.

The Sounders crushed the Timbers 6-2 at Providence Park, with both Fredy Montero and Raul Ruidiaz bagging a brace. That thrashing means that Portland has failed to win any of their last four meetings with Seattle, recording two draws and two losses in the process.

With first-place Seattle sitting a whopping 18 points clear of eighth-place Portland in the West, it feels like the gulf between the Cascadia Cup rivals is vast at the moment.

The Sounders have only lost three of their 21 MLS matches this year, while the Timbers have suffered ten defeats. When you consider those statistics, Brian Schmetzer’s side should seal an easy home win on Sunday.

Here are my top MLS betting picks for Sunday, August 29.

I predicted that Vancouver and Real Salt Lake will produce a draw (3.40) on Sunday – and the bookies’ odds also suggest it will be a tight game. Although RSL (2.45) is the marginal favorite, Vancouver (2.70) isn’t too far behind.

However, I think the over 2.5 goals market is the best value bet for this matchup. 13 of Vancouver’s 20 games have dished up three or more goals this year, while RSL boast an identical record. Need I say more?

Seattle (1.62) is the obvious favorite to win this one, leaving Portland (5.00) as the clear outsider. Given the low price for the home win, I recommend going with the Seattle handicap to boost the odds to 2.75.

Not only are the Sounders the second-highest scorers in the West, but they also boast the best defensive record in the division. With that in mind, they should be able to rack up a hefty winning margin against the Sounders – who have the worst defensive record in the conference.