Wayne Rooney leads DC to Minnesota
DC United go on their travels for the first time under Wayne Rooney in the early hours of Sunday morning in MLS.
Minnesota United will host DC United in hoping to maintain their spot in the top seven of the Western Conference, currently boasting a two-point cushion over Seattle Sounders in eighth, and they are strong favourites to continue their good season and give Rooney a lot of food for thought.
DC are in need of a bit of a miracle, eight points off of the play-offs, giving Rooney a period of time to assess his squad and look to implement some ideas before strengthening the group in the off-season.
Process
The Loons have overperformed defensively this season, according to expected goals (xG), and for that reason a regression to the mean, and potentially some fresh ideas in the final third from the visitors, could see them concede a few on home soil.
DC have been the opposite, and they have actually be nowhere near as bad defensively as their goals against column suggests, whether that is due to poor goalkeeping or extremely good finishing from the opposition remains to be seen, but there is a chance that they regress to the mean and become more solid, with Rooney having an impact on the training pitch.
In the early stages of his time at Derby County, in 2020/21, the Rams became more impressive defensively, before they were more expansive moving forward, and that could be the approach once again, with the Black and Red in poor form.
Goals?
A conservative performance on the road and a back-to-basics approach would not be a surprise from the visitors, and with the hosts overperforming going forward anyway, an unders play does appeal.
Minnesota have scored in nine of ten.
Minnesota have conceded in all of their last 14.
Minnesota have seen both teams score in nine of ten.
Minnesota have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
DC have scored in six of ten.
DC have conceded in ten of ten.
DC have seen both teams score in six of ten.
DC have seen over 2.5 goals in eight of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-0 Minnesota.