It is a big night in the MLS 2023 season on Saturday when Lionel Messi graces the league for the first time as he looks to drag his Inter Miami side up towards the playoffs. That is the highest on a close to full set of matches over the course of the night.
As always this season, the matches can be viewed on the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV but those who just subscribe to Apple TV will get the option of a few free matches. They are also all on offer with the bookmakers.
Saturday’s fixtures are as follows: (00.30 unless stated)
Atlanta United v Nashville SC
CF Montréal v New England Revolution
Charlotte FC v Los Angeles Football Club
Columbus Crew v Toronto FC
D.C. United v Philadelphia Union
FC Cincinnati v New York City FC
New York Red Bulls v Inter Miami CF
Orlando City SC v St. Louis City SC
FC Dallas v Austin FC
Sporting Kansas City v San Jose Earthquakes
Real Salt Lake v Houston Dynamo FC
LA Galaxy v Chicago Fire FC
Portland Timbers v Vancouver Whitecaps FC
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Big Matches
All eyes will be on the Red Bull Arena on Saturday night as Lionel Messi makes his MLS debut for Inter Miami when they head to face the New York Red Bulls. FC Cincinnati now have just the Supporters’ Shield and then MLS Cup to go for after their US Open Cup defeat in midweek. They welcome New York City FC while the leaders in the Western Conference, St Louis City SC, make the trip to Orlando City SC in another big match. The champions Los Angeles FC head to Charlotte FC.
Best of the Rest
Portland Timbers begin life without Gio Savarese for the first time in five years when they host Cascadia Cup rivals Vancouver Whitecaps at Providence Park. Two Texan teams collide when FC Dallas take on Austin FC while Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo meet three days after they faced off in the US Open Cup semi-final. Atlanta United take on the Leagues Cup finalists Nashville SC while Columbus Crew go up against Toronto FC. One of the more entertaining matches on the evening could come in the clash between Sporting Kansas City and San Jose Earthquakes.
Betting
I’ll go with a couple of bets over the course of the night with the first of them coming at Mercedes-Benz Stadium where I’m expecting goals between Atlanta United and Nashville SC. Nashville might come out with the bit between their teeth here after that agonising loss to Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final last weekend and there is no doubt they have goals in them but we know that Atlanta will take the game to Nashville even if it leaves them exposed defensively. Atlanta returned to action with a fine win over Seattle last week and will hope to build on that here so we should be in for a decent encounter here. I like over 2.75 goals with the likes of Hany Mukhtar, Thiago Almada, Sam Surridge and Giorgos Giakoumakis all in decent nick.
Charlotte FC have conceded more goals than anyone in MLS this season so the last thing they need is a clash against the champions Los Angeles FC who are the second highest scorers in the Western Conference and who have been scoring for fun since they entered the Leagues Cup. 17 goals have come for the champions in their last four matches and that attacking power against the weak Charlotte defence is a car crash waiting to happen. Charlotte had an acceptable Leagues Cup campaign but two of their four wins was via penalties and they went into that tournament without a win in eight in MLS. This feels like a great chance for Los Angeles FC to keep the heat up on St Louis City SC in the race for the top spot in the West.
Tips
Back Atlanta United vs Nashville SC – Over 2.75 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.90 with Bet365
Back Los Angeles FC (-0.25AH) to beat Charlotte FC for a 3/10 stake at 1.93 with Bet365
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