The MLS Cup Playoffs get underway on Saturday evening when the first two ties in the first round take place up and down the country. These games used to be two-legged affairs but they are just straight one game knockouts now.
We saw last year that the move down to one leg can bring some exciting, and at times quite extraordinary football, and we probably shouldn’t expect anything different over the course of these two matches either.
Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bulls (19.30 – Sky Football & Free Sports)
The opening match of the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs comes from Subaru Park where the third placed team in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia Union, take on the team who finished sixth in that particular league in New York Red Bulls.
If you are a New York Red Bulls fan you will know that in recent times they have gone well in the regular season but have been short of playoff wins and they will be out to shock the team who won the Supporters’ Shield last term. That win still didn’t lead to a place in the Eastern Conference final last season so the Union have a bit to prove here but they have shown plenty of quality in knockout situations over the last few years and are always a tough nut to crack. There is no doubt that the Red Bulls are making progress under Gerhard Struber but they might be at their best next season. I think Philadelphia will have too much for them here.
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Sporting Kansas City vs Vancouver Whitecaps (22.00 – Sky Football)
The first match of the playoffs from the Western Conference sees the team who finished third in action when Sporting Kansas City host a Vancouver Whitecaps side who might be considered the surprise team in the postseason when you consider neither Los Angeles side made it at their expense.
Sporting Kansas City are one of the better teams in the Western Conference and usually play their home ground very well but Vancouver Whitecaps shouldn’t be slept upon this season and are probably in these playoffs a year ahead of time so might feel they have nothing to lose. Vancouver only lost one of their last 11 matches going in here whereas SKC lost their last three outings. That might be significant and I certainly wouldn’t want to be on the home side at strong odds on here but Kansas City games are usually high scoring and with the intention of most teams in MLS playoffs to go for it I think we’ll see some goals here. I like over 2.5 goals in this one.
Tips
Back Philadelphia Union (0AH) to beat New York Red Bulls for a 3/10 stake at 1.78 with BetVictor
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Back Sporting Kansas City vs Vancouver Whitecaps – Over 2.5 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.87 with Betfair
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