MLS Season So Far
After a season that has seen big swings of form from sides at the top and bottom of both the Eastern and Western Conferences, it's the New England Revolution and the Seattle Sounders that are at the top of their respective piles.
New England have already been crowned as winners of the Eastern Conference, opening up a big lead at the top ahead of Nashville and as such, they are the first team confirmed for the playoffs and guaranteed a bye in the first round.
Below them are currently Nashville, Philadelphia, and Orlando but with a handful of games to go in the regular season, there is plenty to play for still, with just five points separating fourth-placed Orlando and ninth-placed New York Red Bulls.
In the West, the table is even tighter.
Seattle currently have a five-point lead at the top with six games to go, with both Sporting Kansas and Colorado within six points of the league leaders. Portland currently occupy the final playoff spot in the league and they have a seven-point lead over Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy below them.
Betting Favourites for the MLS Cup 2021
The two top sides in the betting for the MLS Cup this year are pretty clear cut and pretty obvious.
New England Revolution (+350)
The Eastern Conference champions have established a brilliant record with 20 wins from 29 games so far this season and that comes from their brilliant and effective attack.
New England have managed 57 goals in 29 games this season, just under an average of two per game, and the total is at least six more than any other team in the division.
Defender Henry Kessler says there is still room for improvement in the team and if that's the case, it will be difficult for anyone to catch them after such an impressive campaign. The fact they have been crowned champions also gives them an edge over their future opponents because they get a bye into the second round and also get a home advantage. At +350 at GTBets, they're a truly excellent value pick for the crown.
Seattle Sounders (+400)
The current leaders of the west are expected to stay there until the end of the regular season, which would see them earn the same advantages as New England with a bye through to the second round and home advantage throughout.
Seattle currently have the best defense in the division having conceded just 23 goals from 28 games so far. With a solid output of 48 goals scored in 28 games too, only Sporting Kansas have scored more goals and it shows a different approach to winning games than New England have gone with.
At +400, should they secure the top spot and those advantages that were previously mentioned don't be surprised to see their odds shorten in the build-up to the playoff tournament.
MLS Cup Outsider Pick
Let's have a look at DC United.
DC United - (+2500)
There is currently no guarantee that DC United will even make it to the playoffs, but if they do then they're without a doubt in with a shout of winning the whole thing.
That is mainly down to the brilliant goalscoring of striker Ola Kamara, who has registered a brilliant 17 goals and four assists in 22 appearances so far in the regular season.
His goal tally represents a league-high 35% of his teams' goals and if he is able to continue his excellent form at the end of the season and fire DC United into the playoffs, then all the remaining sides will be incredibly wary of the threat he possesses and he is good enough to push them all the way.
MLS 2021 Golden Boot Picks
Outside of the favorite Ola Kamara right now (+200), there are some great prices floating around for the golden boot this year. Here are some of the stand-out picks.
Raul Ruidiaz (+450)
Currently, the second top scorer in the division, one goal behind Kamara, Ruidiaz's Sounders are top of the Western Conference currently largely thanks to his 16 goals so far this season.
The 31-year-old Peruvian has been prolific ever since joining the club in 2018, hitting double figures in each of the last three seasons. But this season has been his best in terms of goal numbers and he is looking to fire the side to their fourth conference title in five seasons.
Daniel Salloi (+650)
Salloi is currently just one goal behind Kamara in the race for the top goalscorer award and playing for a side sitting at the top end of the division, there is every chance he could overtake him in the final stretch of the season.
The Sporting Kansas striker has scored 12 goals in his last 17 games in the MLS and currently looks set to be the man they rely on in the playoffs too so he will look to continue his excellent form for as long as possible.
Betting Pick Double
It's hard to pick between the top two sides for the tournament this season but there are some great value bets available if you get on them early enough.
While New England are the favorites and the highest-scoring team right now, its incredibly strong defenses often come out on top in tight games. That leads me to think that the Seattle Sounders are a great pick for the MLS Cup at +400, and with Omar Kamara, in brilliant form, he looks the most likely to become the golden boot winner after 16 goals in his last 17 games for DC United.
A double would be a lovely way to top up your account before the holiday season.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
