The MLS has given us three Round One matches in the playoffs on Sunday, with staggered action to enhance our viewing pleasure. Let’s get right into our favorite picks in the MLS postseason for today!
We had a successful regular season and first few matches of the playoffs. Let’s keep it going.
- MLS YTD
- 57-58-5 (49.6%)
- +4.62u
- Avg Odds: +113
Head over to our MLS Picks Page for our expert’s soccer analysis, or read my best bets below.
Major League Soccer: Round One Predictions October 26
These are the first matches of Round One. This round is a best of three series, played in a home-away-home format. All matches in this round will only play 90 minutes. If still tied after 90, teams will go directly into a penalty kick shootout to decide a winner. First to win two of the three matches moves on to the Conference Semifinals.
Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire MLS Picks
The Philadelphia Union host Chicago to open their MLS Cup campaign tonight at home
Best Bet: Philadelphia Union ML (-116) BetOnline
Don’t overthink it, take the better, more rested team. The Union shutout the Fire twice this season, on the road 1-0 in June, and 4-0 at home in August. They ended the regular season with three straight wins (excluding their final match, where they already had the top spot in the Eastern Conference wrapped up), and with three straight home shutouts.
At home this year, Philadelphia posted a 12-4-1 record, with eight shutouts (seven of them wins), and just one outright loss to Nashville in their second home match of the year. Since then, they have been unbeatable at Subaru Park. Now, Chicago were unbeaten in six straight to end the season, but on the road against a team they have failed to score against will be a daunting task.
Give me the Union to win this first match with ease at home.
Prediction: Philadelphia Union Win 2-0 (+1000)
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. FC Dallas: MLS Picks
Sebastian Berhalter leads the Whitecaps with 11 assists this MLS season
Best Bets: Vancouver Whitecaps ML/Under 3.5 (+180) BetOnline
Just a half unit sprinkle on this wager, as these two teams go head to head after just playing last Saturday.
The road team won both head to head contests, with the Whitecaps winning 1-0 in Dallas in March, and FC Dallas returning the favor with a 3-2 win on October 18 to end the regular season. However, the Whitecaps were a man down for nearly the entire match, and they still controlled over 68% of possession.
After just losing to this team at home, I see Vancouver bringing the fire this time around. Clearly the Dallas defense can play the Whitecaps tight, but the host’s offense will be strong enough in this third meeting. Give me Vancouver to win this match in a low scoring contest, perhaps in shutout fashion.
Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps Win 1-0 (+1000)
San Diego FC vs. Portland Timbers: MLS Picks
Anders Dreyer has been very involved in San Diego’s offensive success this year
Best Bets: San Diego FC/Portland Timbers Under 3 (+104) BetOnline
We lost this exact bet in the final meeting of the season between these teams. In August, they played to a scoreless draw in San Diego, but last weekend the visitors beat the Timbers 4-0 on the road to secure the top spot in the Western Conference. Portland has yet to score on San Diego in two matches this year, and I’m not sure they will be able to in the playoffs.
Both backlines are rock solid, giving up just 41 and 48 goals this season, ranking top four and top six in the West. The Timbers know their backline will need to be focused, especially on the road against a team that just netted four when it mattered a week ago. I think we likely see a 1-1 draw, as the visitors should make it very hard on the conference winners to create chances, hoping to take this to a PK shootout.
The Timbers best chance is winning this first match in a shootout, followed by ending it in two games at home. While I don’t necessarily see that happening, I do trust them to hold strong defensively in this opening contest.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw (+700)
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