* All prices correct at time publication but are subject to change
Seattle and Kansas City, the top two teams in the MLS Western Conference this season, go head-to-head tonight and Paddy’s put together a tidy little punt on their clash as well as Austin hosting the LA Galaxy in East Texas at the spritely hour of 2:30am UK and Ireland time.
First up, it’s the top-of-the-table tussle…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 22: Raul Ruidiaz #9 of Seattle Sounders keeps the ball away from Jaine Barreiro #21 of Leon during the Leagues Cup 2021 Final at Allegiant Stadium on September 22, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Leon defeated Seattle 3-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Sporting KC v Seattle Sounders: KC to Win & Over 2.5 Goals
Sunday night, midnight, live on Freesports
The big question going into this game is how much Seattle’s recent exploits in the Leagues Cup, where they lost to Mexican side Leon in the final 3-2 on Wednesday, will count against them in their efforts tonight.
KC shrewdly, some would say cynically, took a 6-1 spanking by the eventual winners in the quarter-finals back in early August, meaning they’ve avoided the fixture congestion and travel of recent weeks as the regular season run-in comes into view. It didn’t do them much good against LAFC a few weeks back, where they were well-beaten 4-0, but Roger Espinoza’s 58th-minute red card came before three of those goals were notched.
Since then they’ve beaten both Chicago and Minnesota at home, scoring six and conceding none. The Sounders, meanwhile, have lost three of their last five games, with injuries slowing their hot start to the season and their record against KC doesn’t give much reason for optimism tonight, as Sporting have won their last three games and scored at least three goals in each of those wins.
I’m tempted by KC to win to nil, but them to win and the game to go over 2.5 does give a little insurance in case the Sounders grab a consolation.
CARSON, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Javier Hernandez #14 of Los Angeles Galaxy celebrates his goal in the first half against the New York Red Bulls at Dignity Health Sports Park on April 25, 2021 in Carson, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Austin FC v LA Galaxy: LA to Win & Over 3.5 goals
Sunday night, 2:30am, live on Premier Sports 2
I’d also expect goals in the late game. The home team are rooted to the bottom of the Western Conference, seven points adrift of Houston, with a 3-1 win against Portland lone bright spot in a run of eight defeats in nine. However, there have been a staggering 30 goals scored in their last seven games, so fans are getting their money’s worth even if results aren’t going their way.
Meanwhile, the visitor’s are on a ropey streak of their own, going winless in their last six games, a 3-0 loss to Minnesota last week ending a run of three consecutive draws. They’re also seen plenty of goals, with 19 goals shared across the half-dozen games since their last victory – that’s 49 goals in the last 13 games for each of these teams.
Despite their recent run, LA remain in fourth in the West, and this looks like an ideal opportunity to put right the wrongs of recent weeks. LA and over 2.5 should be a safe play, but with one more goal there’s a much juicier price, and given the number of goals these two have been scoring and conceding of late, it looks quite generous to me, so LA to win and over 3.5 would be my pick to make this into a possibly delightful double.
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* All prices correct at time publication but are subject to change
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