Charlotte FC vs. Atlanta (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Charlotte FC host Atlanta United at the Bank of America Stadium in a matchday 27 MLS fixture this weekend, with Charlotte sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference and aiming to secure a win to boost their playoff chances.
Atlanta, currently ninth and struggling with inconsistency, need a victory to revive their faltering playoff hopes, so this match is critical for both teams as they vie for important points in the Eastern Conference.
We say: Charlotte FC 2-0 Atlanta United
Charlotte's strong home form and defensive solidity should see them secure a comfortable victory, further solidifying their playoff position while leaving Atlanta's hopes hanging by a thread.
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Cincinnati vs. Montreal (Sunday, 12.30am)
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FC Cincinnati will seek to end a lengthy losing slump in Major League Soccer (MLS) when they host CF Montreal on Saturday at TQL Stadium.
The Orange and Blue have suffered four consecutive league defeats, losing 2-0 to Inter Miami last weekend, while Le CFM are winless in their previous three domestic affairs after being crushed 5-0 by the New England Revolution.
We say: FC Cincinnati 1-0 CF Montreal
Even without numerous key components to their roster, the Orange and Blue are a stronger side than their current form suggests, and they should find a way through a Montreal defence that has been leaky throughout the 2024 season.
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Columbus Crew vs. NY City (Sunday, 12.30am)
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For a third time this year, the Columbus Crew and New York City FC will face each other, with the Boys in Blue seeking their first-ever triumph at Lower.com Field on Saturday.
NYCFC resumed their Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign last weekend with a 2-2 draw at home to the Chicago Fire, while the current Leagues Cup champions pulled out a 1-0 triumph over the Philadelphia Union in midweek.
We say: Columbus Crew 2-1 New York City FC
Although the Pigeons have been right there in both of their matches with the Crew this season, they still seem to lack that killer instinct and when you waste opportunities against the reigning MLS Cup champions, they usually find a way to make you pay.
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NY Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia (Sunday, 12.30am)
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The New York Red Bulls will host Philadelphia Union in the latest Major League Soccer (MLS) round this weekend at the Red Bull Arena.
With the visitors' post-season hopes under considerable threat as they sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference table, getting a result in this encounter will be a major boost to their chances of a playoff place.
We say: New York Red Bulls 2-1 Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia's experience and desperation to secure a playoff spot could see them push hard for a result.
However, New York's unbeaten record at Red Bull Arena and their solid defensive setup might be just enough to secure a narrow victory.
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Orlando City vs. Nashville (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Orlando City are due to welcome Nashville SC to the Exploria Stadium in the latest round of Major League Soccer (MLS) fixtures this weekend.
The hosts will be looking to take advantage of the visitors' nine-game losing streak in a bid to shore up their playoff chances.
We say: Orlando City 2-0 Nashville SC
Orlando City will be eager to make the most of their home advantage and capitalise on Nashville SC's dire form, and we are backing them to do exactly that.
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Toronto vs. DC United (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Seeking a third successive triumph in the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season, Toronto host DC United on Saturday at BMO Field.
Thanks to a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo last Saturday, the Reds are six points above the Eastern Conference playoff line, while the Black and Red are bottom of the conference following a 4-3 defeat to Dallas.
We say: Toronto 1-2 DC United
We are not convinced that Toronto will be able to create many scoring opportunities on Saturday, given the key pieces out through suspension and the lack of depth when you go down their roster.
As leaky as DC have been on the back end, Benteke and company should find a way through what has been an inconsistent Toronto backline in 2024.
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Austin vs. Vancouver (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Austin FC can stay above the Western Conference playoff line with a victory on Saturday at Q2 Stadium when they host the Vancouver Whitecaps in their first Major League Soccer (MLS) home fixture since July.
Thanks to a 2-0 away victory last week over Nashville SC, the Verde and Black are holding onto the final post-season berth in the West, a point above Dallas and four below the Caps in sixth, with the latter not playing an MLS contest since a 4-3 defeat to the Houston Dynamo in July.
We say: Austin FC 2-2 Vancouver Whitecaps
Both teams have plenty of meaningful games left to play this season, and that desperation could provide an entertaining affair between two resilient groups.
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Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami (Sunday, 1.30am)
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The Chicago Fire can move into a playoff position with a victory on Saturday and some help as they welcome Inter Miami to Soldier Field.
A 2-2 draw versus New York City FC last weekend put the Fire within two points of a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS), while the Herons continue to lead the East, sitting eight points clear of FC Cincinnati, who they defeated 2-0 last Saturday.
We say: Chicago Fire 1-4 Inter Miami
It feels as though nothing can slow down the Herons in MLS this season, and their attacking depth and creativity in midfield should be more than enough to see off a Chicago side still seeking consistency from one match to the next.
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Dallas vs. Colorado (Sunday, 1.30am)
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FC Dallas welcome Colorado Rapids to Toyota Stadium in an MLS Western Conference clash this weekend, with both sides pushing to solidify their playoff positions.
Colorado Rapids, sitting in fourth place with 41 points, are aiming to build on their recent success, having won the Leagues Cup third-place playoff against Philadelphia Union on penalties.
We say: Dallas 2-1 Colorado Rapids
Given Dallas' recent form and the Rapids' struggles at this venue, a narrow victory for the hosts seems likely in this contest.
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Salt Lake vs. New England (Sunday, 2.30am)
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Real Salt Lake will attempt to end a four-game winless run in the MLS when they play host to the New England Revolution on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be looking to record a second straight win after claiming a dominant 5-0 victory over Montreal.
We say: Real Salt Lake 2-1 New England Revolution
Real Salt Lake have won six of their last eight competitive home games against New England, and we think they will make full use of home advantage again to claim a narrow victory in Saturday's MLS clash.
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Los Angeles vs. Houston (Sunday, 3.30am)
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Looking to bounce back from two consecutive defeats, Houston Dynamo will travel to the Banc of California Stadium on Sunday to face Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer.
The hosts are second in the Western Conference, just five points behind the leaders, while the visitors are eighth with a four-point lead over 10th place.
We say: Los Angeles FC 2-0 Houston Dynamo
The hosts are enjoying a strong run of form heading into this game and have historically dominated this tie, and with Houston faltering in recent weeks, enduring three losses in four games, we expect a home win here.
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Portland vs. Seattle (Sunday, 3.30am)
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The Portland Timbers will be aiming to bounce back to winning ways in the MLS when they take on their fierce rivals the Seattle Sounders at Providence Park on Sunday morning.
The hosts enter this match in seventh place in the Western Conference with 37 points after 26 games, while the visitors are two places and three points better off than their opponents.
We say: Portland Timbers 2-2 Seattle Sounders
While Portland have been prolific in front of goal lately, the absence of Rodriguez and Mora are significant, leaving them needing to find goals from other avenues. However, given their recent home form and Seattle's short turnaround, we feel that the hosts will be able to claim at least a share of the spoils in this one.
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Earthquakes vs. Minnesota Utd (Sunday, 3.30am)
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Struggling San Jose Earthquakes will host Minnesota United at PayPal Park in a Major League Soccer clash on Sunday.
While the hosts are bottom of the Western Conference standings with no hope of reaching the final series, the visitors are just one point off the playoff spots.
We say: San Jose Earthquakes 0-1 Minnesota United
San Jose's recent league victory has provided a much-needed boost in confidence, which could prove advantageous going forward, and if they can maintain this level of performance, they may prove too formidable for a Minnesota side that has been struggling to find their rhythm over the past few months.
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Barney Corkhill
