Major League Soccer Picks and Predictions: Monday MLS Playoff Best Bets

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Evander leads FC Cincinnati with 18 goals and 15 assists in MLS play this year - MLS Picks

We’ve got a couple of stand alone matches in the MLS tonight for some more playoff action in Round One. Four more teams begin their postseason campaign tonight, as they begin their opening series. Let’s get into our favorite picks in these matches tonight and find some winners.

Tonight in the MLS we have the following matches.

We had a successful regular season and beyond. Let’s keep it going.

  • MLS YTD
  • 58-59-6 (49.6%)
  • +4.52u
  • Avg Odds: +113

But I’ll admit, the playoffs haven’t started off too well.

  • MLS Playoffs YTD
  • 2-4-1 (33.3%)
  • -0.89u
  • Avg Odds: +110

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 27

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.

FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew MLS Picks

Pavel Bucha made 33 starts for FC Cincinnati this season, the most of any player on the team - MLS Picks

Pavel Bucha made 33 starts for FC Cincinnati this season, the most of any player on the team

Best Bet: FC Cincinnati Draw No Bet (-114) BetOnline

First up at TQL Stadium, we are backing the hosts. Now, if you have bigger stones than I, you could play their 90 minute moneyline, but the draw no bet is enough for me. Columbus was unbeaten in both head to head matches against Cincy this season, but the playoffs are a different animal.

Back in May, the two Ohio teams played to a 1-1 draw in Columbus. Cincinnati found the lead just six minutes into the match, but an early second half penalty kick gave the Crew an equalizer. Later in July in Cincinnati, the hosts found two goals in the opening five minutes of the match, but that didn’t keep the Crew down. Columbus rallied for two goals in the final five minutes and stoppage before halftime to equalize, followed by two more to seal the victory in the second half.

Tonight, I think the hosts finally break through. They’ve jumped out to leads in both head to head contests, but failed to contain their opponent’s offensive attack. Defense will be at the forefront of Cincinnati’s mind, and I expect them to come prepared in this MLS Playoff matchup.

Prediction: FC Cincinnati Wins 1-0 (+1100)

Minnesota United vs. Seattle Sounders: MLS Picks

Albert Rusnak has double digits goals and assists for the Sounders this MLS season - MLS Picks

Albert Rusnak has double digits goals and assists for the Sounders this MLS season

Best Bets: Seattle Sounders ML (+133) BetOnline

I should’ve taken this bet last night when I first took a peek, as it was priced around +160. Even though it has significantly shifted down, I still trust the Sounders. Let me explain.

Seattle lost both meetings to Minnesota United this season. First, at home in June, they lost 3-2 after allowing all three goals in just a seven minute span of gameplay in the second half, one of which was a penalty kick. However, Seattle still controlled over 65% of possession, and won the corner kick battle 9-0, yet did not come out on top. In their next match in Seattle, the hosts were defeated again, this time losing 1-0 in mid-August.

Again, Seattle controlled over 70% of possession, won the corner kick battle 8-3, and outshot Minnesota 15-10 overall and 5-3 on target, yet still came up short. Despite being on the road tonight, the Sounders have proven (to me) that they can hang with this Loonies team. The Sounders dominated the stat sheet in both matches, but couldn’t put enough in the back of the net to finish the job. Tonight I think they do exactly that.

Seattle vs. Minnesota Stats in Two Head to Head Matches

  • Seattle: 67.5% Possession
  • Seattle: 17-3 Corner Kicks
  • Seattle: 25-23 Shot Attempts
  • Minnesota: 9-7 Shots on Target

Look for Minnesota to get caught overlooking their opponent in this opening Round One match, knowing they have multiple chances to get the job done.

Prediction: Seattle Sounders Win 2-0 (+1200)

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