Dean Etheridge
The MLS regular season is now entering the home straight. And with the finishing line of the playoffs in sight, the matches now have more jeopardy – unless you’re the Seattle Sounders, that is!
Anyway, with teams either already qualified for the playoffs and teams already eliminated, we need to choose our soccer betting picks carefully and make sure the teams we are choosing are actually playing for something….. again, unlike the Seattle Sounders.
So what has happened in the MLS during the last round of matches? Well, we have seen another playoff spot clinched, conference leaders change, and new MLS records set.
In the Eastern Conference, New England Revolution’s 1-0 win over Colorado on Wednesday night saw them set a new MLS record.
And the scary thing is, they’re going to extend the record.
That win secured with a goal from Tajon Buchanan took the Revs onto 73 points, passing the previous record set by LAFC (72 points) in 2019.
Also in the Eastern Conference, Nashville’s 6-3 win over Cincinnati saw them officially clinch their spot in the playoffs, and they are virtually assured home-field advantage when the postseason starts.
Nashville, we're back N the playoffs.
And this time, we're Back For More. pic.twitter.com/udal9uNgiW
— x – Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) October 28, 2021
While over in the Western Conference, the end-of-season vacation for Seattle Sounders continued as they lost 3-0 away to LAFC.
They have now gone four matches without a win since clinching their playoff spot. That run of bad form has now cost them the top spot in the table, as Sporting Kansas City has taken over from them.
The run of form the Sounders is currently in highlights the dangers of picking teams that have little to play for. So for this weekend’s picks, here at MyTopSportsbooks we will be concentrating on matches that have something on the line. Starting with New York City.
Inter Miami v New York City
The race for a place in the playoffs is really intense in the Eastern Conference.
New York City currently sits in 4th place, well inside the playoff zone. But they are only 4 points clear of New York Red Bulls (8th) and CF Montreal (9th), who both sit outside the playoffs.
- Match – Inter Miami v New York City
- Venue – DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
- Date – Saturday, October 30th, 2021
- Time – 1.30pm ET
They visit a struggling Inter Miami side on Saturday, who themselves still have the slimmest of slim chances of making the postseason.
The online sportsbooks make the ‘The Boys In Blue’ their favorites on the Moneyline, with both BetUS and BetOnline pricing them up at -115 to win.
| Inter Miami v New York City |  |  |
| Miami | +300 | +305 |
| Draw | +270 | +295 |
| New York | -115 | -115 |
New York has just two matches left, and won’t want to leave securing qualification until the final match of the season.
They have just won back-to-back home matches after having endured a poor run of matches.
On Wednesday they defeated Chicago 1-0, and last weekend they thrashed D.C. United 6-0. Could they just be running into form at the right time?
As for Inter Miami, they sit 11th in the Eastern Conference – 6 points outside of the playoffs.
They thrashed bottom-side Cincinnati 5-1 last weekend, putting themselves marginally back in contention. But then lost 2-1 to Atlanta on Wednesday, with manager Phil Neville bemoaning their wastefulness in front of goal.
I’m not sure what he was on about really, as Atlanta dominated the stats and fully deserved the win.
I’m taking New York City to win this and they are my first MLS betting pick.
Real Salt Lake v San Jose Earthquakes
Another side needing a win to improve their chances of making the playoffs is Real Salt Lake.
Interim coach Pablo Mastroeni’s side sits just inside the playoff zone and knows they have to beat San Jose if they are to make the postseason.
Salt Lake beat FC Dallas 2-1 on Wednesday, in a match they just had to win. But that leaky defense conceded a goal again.
- Match – Real Salt Lake v San Jose Earthquakes | Western Conference
- Venue – Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah, USA
- Date – Saturday, October 30th, 2021
- Time – 3.30pm ET
As for the Earthquakes, they are just too inconsistent, and this has meant they are already eliminated from the playoffs.
Since giving themselves an outside chance of reaching the postseason by beating Austin 4-0, the Earthquakes have picked up just 1 point from their next two matches.
They can’t string two results together, and that is why they are no longer in contention.
MoneyLine
- Salt Lake -145
- Draw +290
- San Jose +390
Both Teams To Score
- Yes -160
- No +130
Both teams to score has now happened 11 times in Salt Lake’s last 13 matches.
The defense is ultimately what is going to cost them.
I think both teams will score in this match, and I also expect to see over 2.5 goals come in.
I expect Salt Lake to win, but can they be trusted with that leaky defense?
Both teams to score is -160, and when you consider that Salt Lake is -145 to win, I think the safer bet here could be for both teams to score.
With the MLS set to enter its post-season soon, don’t forget to check out our MLS betting page for all the latest news and betting offers.
