Get set up for MLS betting action this weekend with these free betting previews, complete with predictions and picks. The weekend’s MLS schedule is jampacked with stellar matchups that offer angles for profit. We preview a few choice matchups in this column, complete with predictions and soccer free picks.
Inter Miami CF vs. NY Red Bulls
Saturday, July 17, 2021 – 7:00 PM EDT at Red Bull Arena
The NY Red Bulls host Inter Miami at Red Bull Arena on Saturday for a clash of Eastern Conference rivals, but the pair couldn’t be enjoying more contrasting fortunes than they are. While the Red Bulls are riding relatively high in the table, Inter Miami are down in the doldrums. Miami can’t seem to buy a win no matter how hard they try. As such, the soccer betting markets are stacked against Miami quite significantly in a matchup that is quite simply a total mismatch.
NY Red Bulls are sat pretty in seventh place behind a 5-2-5 mark and 17 points, a mark they improved fractionally last week after settling on a share in the spoils with Philadelphia Union. It was the first dropped points at the Red Bull Arena for Gerhard Struber’s men since a 2-1 defeat against Sporting Kansas in their opening fixture.
The Metros were very much in command of the game and took the 1-0 lead immediately after gaining a man advantage when Matt Freese received a red card in the 57th minute of the second half. However, Sergio Santos’ late-game equaliser snatched the victory out of the Red Bulls’ hands and they were forced to accept a point for their efforts in the end.
The Red Bulls are playing delightful football this season and although they’re on the cusp of the playoff frame in the current standings they’re certainly a team to spot with a couple of attractive attacking weapons in Patryk Klimala and fellow striker Fábio. They are enjoying fine home form as they extend their undefeated home run to five matches (4 wins and 1 draw) and they should maintain that fine home form at the expense of Miami, whose campaign is in tatters behind a 2-2-7 mark and 8 points. Indeed, Miami props up the table along with Toronto as things currently stand.
Miami are winless in their last five matches, including a 1-0 defeat to Montreal Impact in their last outing almost two weeks ago. They’re road form is nothing to write home about and they’re without a goal in their last three road fixtures. The Herons are low on confidence and the pressure is mounting on coach Phil Neville. Colour the world shocked if Miami gets a result in this game.
Soccer Pick: NY Red Bulls -125 with Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Orlando City SC vs. Toronto FC
Saturday, July 17, 2021 – 7:30 PM EDT at BMO Field
Orlando City and Toronto FC bookend the Eastern Conference table with the former in second place and the latter sat pretty in 14th place and propping up the table. No two sides could be more opposite in form, quality and class right now. And yet, top sportsbooks are taking a rather dim view of this matchup for the high-flying Orlando City, pegging the visitors in plus money on the money line. Surely, a win for Orlando is more likely than the MLS odds would suggest.
The Lions sport a 6-3-3- mark and 21 points through 12 fixtures. Most recently however, the Lions dropped a seemingly straightforward decision against Chicago Fire, losing 3-1 at Soldier Field. It marked their second straight setback and that recent dip in form, brought on by a spate of injuries and absences, is likely a significant factor that underscores the rather disadvantageous market outlook.
Orlando City is still set to be without injured Nani and Alexandre Pato for this weekend’s clash with Toronto at their temporary home of Exploria Stadium. But they could see the return of Pedro Gallese from international duty as the keeper returns from Copa America action where he represented Peru.
Gallese has been Orlando’s unquestioned number one goalkeeper and thanks to his stellar start on the season the Lions boast the second-meanest defense in the league with four clean sheets in their first seven games. Thus, it’s no coincidence that they’ve experienced a recent dip in form that coincides with his absence.
Toronto FC boast a 2-2-6 mark and 8 points, which puts them at the bottom of the table. However, they recently snapped a six-game losing streak with an unlikely victory that sent seismic shockwaves through soccer betting markets. In their last outing, Toronto upset New England Revolution in a surprising 3-2 win over the top-of-the-table rivals.
It represented a crucial bounce back performance after Toronto’s humiliating 7-1 loss to D.C. United the week prior that resulted in the firing of first-year coach Chris Armas following the heaviest defeat in club history. Assistant coach Javier Perez was in charge of Toronto against the Revolution last week and as far as debuts go..well, it wasn’t too bad.
All told, this is going to be a tough game between two sides that will be eager to take maximum points. Toronto will be buoyed by their victory over the Revolution last week but carrying that momentum into back-to-back games is going to be a tough ask, especially considering Orlando’s quality. Put another way, it’s hard to see Orlando losing back-to-back games to lesser opponents.
Soccer Pick: Orlando City +158 with Heritage Sports
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
