Decision Day in the MLS 2024 season is getting ever closer and we move another step towards it over the course of the weekend with another set of matches taking place in America and Canada which get underway on Saturday.
As is always the case, full coverage of all of these matches are available on the MLS Season Pass via Apple TV but if that isn’t an option for you then you can turn into the live streams on the bookmaker websites for all the action.
Saturday’s fixtures are as follows: (00.30 unless stated)
New York City FC vs Inter Miami (19.00)
Charlotte FC vs New England Revolution (21.00)
CF Montréal v Chicago Fire
Columbus Crew v Orlando City SC
New York Red Bulls v Atlanta United FC
Austin FC v Houston Dynamo (01.30)
FC Dallas v Los Angeles Football Club (01.30)
Nashville SC v FC Cincinnati (01.30)
Sporting Kansas City v Minnesota United FC (01.30)
Colorado Rapids v Toronto FC (02.30)
Real Salt Lake v Portland Timbers (02.30)
Los Angeles Galaxy v Vancouver Whitecaps (03.30)
San Jose Earthquakes v St. Louis City SC (03.30)
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Big Matches
Inter Miami dropped a couple of points in the race for the Supporters’ Shield on Wednesday night when they conceded a late equaliser to Atlanta United so they will be determined to get back to winning ways when they open up the action away to New York City FC, who themselves will be eager for a morale boosting win. LA Galaxy still head the way in the Western Conference despite their defeat in midweek and they will be looking to get back to winning ways when Vancouver Whitecaps head to Hollywood. FC Cincinnati are still holding off Columbus Crew in the race for second spot and they head to Nashville SC on Saturday night with the champions hosting Orlando City SC.
Best of the Rest
There are some interesting matches in the Western Conference on Saturday night starting with the one between Real Salt Lake and Portland Timbers with the home side chasing a top two finish in the West and the latter looking to close in on securing their place in the playoffs. Houston Dynamo currently occupy the last guaranteed spot in the postseason and they go away to local rivals Austin FC looking to keep it that way. With Philadelphia Union not playing until later in the weekend there is the chance for teams to go above them in the table. Atlanta United head to New York Red Bulls whose form has fallen off a cliff in terms of wins while CF Montreal welcome Chicago Fire to Stade Saputo.
Betting
After a midweek card where there was a lot that I liked I find myself only liking two bets on Saturday evening with the first coming from the Red Bull Arena where I have to oppose New York Red Bulls. Their form without Emil Forsberg looks a mess and he isn’t expected to feature in this match so Atlanta United have got to be confident of getting something from the match, especially as they held Messi and co in midweek which is no easy task even if the Argentine did spend the first hour on the bench. Miami had been in great form prior to his return so it is no slight of Atlanta that they were able to draw that match. Atlanta aren’t the force they once were but there are signs of life in them and they have to get results if they are going to make the playoffs. Red Bulls have won just two of their last 13 in the MLS and 16 overall so Atlanta on the +0.75 Asian handicap line looks the way to go here.
The other bet that I like is for Colorado Rapids to get the job done on home soil. I always mention about their altitude advantage and that is going to be even more the case against a side who were given the runaround by Columbus Crew on Wednesday night and then had to make this long trip with little to no recovery time. Colorado were smoked in midweek in Kansas City but they were smart enough to get some big players off the pitch with 20 or so to go when the game had gone and they should be fresher for this one. They have better bench strength anyway so even if they need to make changes they have the personnel to do it with. The Rapids are 9-3-2 at home and Toronto are 4-3-8 away and on a short week the Canadians could be on something of a hiding to nothing here.
Tips
Back Atlanta United (+0.75AH) to beat New York Red Bulls for a 3/10 stake at 2.03 with Bet365
Back Colorado Rapids (-1AH) to beat Toronto FC for a 3/10 stake at 2.07 with Unibet
