MLS Game Week 5 Expert Picks

MLS Game Day Betting Preview

By Matt Pitt

LA Galaxy (-140) vs. Montreal Impact (+400)

LA Galaxy remain one of the favorites to win the 2017 MLS Cup (+800) despite an awful start to the regular season campaign, where they have lost three of their opening four fixtures.

Galaxy are usually difficult to beat on home soil but have so far lost 2-1 against FC Dallas and 1-0 to Portland Timbers. The Los Angeles outfit have also lost 4-2 away at Vancouver Whitecaps with their only points of the season coming courtesy of a 2-1 victory on the road to Real Salt Lake.

Montreal Impact, who are also struggling with a 0-1-3, head to LA this weekend. While they haven’t won yet, Impact aren't easily beaten, losing only one of four contests. 

Impact won 3-2 when the sides met in May 2016, but that game was in Montreal. The fixture at the StubHub ended in a 0-0 draw with Galaxy winning 1-0 in the only other LA-based game in the past four years.

It would take a brave, or stupid, bettor to place a wager against Galaxy despite their poor run of form and I am neither. Bovada price a Galaxy win at -140 and those odds are enticing.

Pick: LA Galaxy to win at -140

Philadelphia Union (+150) vs. Portland Timbers (+180)

Bottom of the Eastern Conference meets top of the Western Conference when Philadelphia Union host Portland Timbers at the Talen Energy Stadium.

Union had high hopes for the 2017 campaign, and may still be confident of a successful season, but are thus far languishing in 11th place after two draws and two losses. Union will be looking for a repeat of their 3-0 victory in Philly in July 2015, no matter how unlikely. 

Three wins, a draw and one defeat from five fixtures have pushed Portland to the top of the Western Conference. Much of Timbers’ early success stems from the fantastic form of Diego Valeri and Fanendo Adi, who already have nine goals between.

Portland’s away form was terrible in 2016 (0-11-6) but they have already registered a victory this term and I expect them to return home with at least a share of the spoils.

Pick: Portland Timbers at +180 

Category : Betting Picks

Tag : 2017 MLS , LA Galaxy , major league soccer , MLS betting odds , Montreal Impact , Philadelphia Union , Portland Timbers

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