The Conference semi-finals begin in the MLS Cup Playoffs on Thursday night when the two number one seeds get their postseason campaigns underway when they compete in what should be entertaining matches.
Both Philadelphia Union and Los Angeles FC watched on as their opponents battled it out to seal their spot in these matches over the weekend. The good news is both matches are on Sky Sports Football and Free Sports. The bad news is you’ll need to be an insomniac to watch the second game.
Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati (01.00)
The opening Conference semi-final comes from the Eastern Conference as the Philadelphia Union look to put an indifferent playoff record behind them when they entertain an FC Cincinnati side who have already been on the road and won in the postseason.
Cincinnati went to the New York Red Bulls and won at the weekend and now they embark on what might well be the toughest task in the Eastern Conference – to go to Subaru Park and come away with a win. If they are able to do that then they will do something no team has done this season because Union went through the entire regular season without losing a home match. The only negative on the Union here is their poor record in the playoffs. Jim Curtin is right when he says this is the best squad they have had and the best season they have had under him but until they win a playoff match there will always be doubts over them. Where I have no doubts is that there will be goals in this match. There always is when FC Cincinnati are around but there also is in Philadelphia Union home matches. They averaged a shade under three goals for them in the regular season on their own patch and an early goal could send this one wild like many MLS matches become. There is a 2.75 goal line for this one and that just looks too low given the attacking personnel on show.
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Los Angeles FC vs LA Galaxy (03.00)
The second match of the night is the opening semi-final in the Western Conference and it throws up an ‘El Trafico’ between the two teams in Los Angeles as the Supporters’ Shield winners Los Angeles FC welcome LA Galaxy across town for what could be a classic.
We know just from the rivalry between these two that this is going to be a competitive match. Los Angeles FC were the best team in the regular season but you wouldn’t say they were infallible at all times this season. LA Galaxy were very indifferent themselves at times this term but they won three of their last four matches to make it into the playoffs and then got the better of Nashville SC in the opening round of the postseason. This is a fixture that throughout the years have been full of goals and when you consider that we could have Gareth Bale, Carlos Vela, Chicharito, Douglas Costa and others all potentially on the pitch at the same time it would be hard to think that this one won’t have a number of goals too. The goal line for this one is 3 goals which feels a little on the low side even for a playoff match.
Tips
Back Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati – Over 2.75 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.95 with Bet365
Back Los Angeles FC vs LA Galaxy – Over 3 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.87 with Bet365
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