Goals on the cards in
Seattle Sounders host Colorado Rapids in the early hours of Sunday morning, in looking to put a poor run to an end with the Rapids to close the three-point gap between themselves and the play-off places.
The Sounders have lost three on the bounce without scoring and will be desperate to put that right on their home patch.
The hosts are strong favourites but are above evens to win the match outright, with the Rapids potentially slipping under the radar as outsiders, a lot closer to the play-offs than 12th in the Western Conference would suggest.
A goals angle tickles my fancy in this one.
Process
The Rapids sit 12th in the Conference, but rank fourth on expected points and have underperformed in both boxes so far this campaign.
MLS is a very evenly-matched competition, and the majority of clubs maintain a chance of making the play-offs for the majority of the league stage, and the Rapids should still be confident of taking their push deep.
The Sounders are flattering to deceive given how they have performed recently and in seasons gone by, they could utilise this home match to get back on track.
The Rapids have scored just 24 goals from 32.3 expected goals (xG) for in 20 outings, creating chances at 1.62 xGF per game.
They will start finding the net with more regularity if they can sustain that process. The hosts have conceded just 24 from 32.2 xGA from 20 games, at 1.61 xGA per game, if they can be clinical on their travels, the visitors look good for a goal or two here.
Goals?
Goals may quieten down as head towards the crunch encounters in the Conference, but I am to take a goals angle given the way both sides have been playing of late.
Sounders have scored in six of ten.
Sounders have conceded in seven of ten.
Sounders have seen both teams score in three of ten.
Sounders have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
Rapids have scored in nine of ten.
Rapids have conceded in seven of ten.
Rapids have seen both teams score in six of ten.
Rapids have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
The Rapids are tempting outsiders, but I am happy to see both teams to score at a backable price.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-1 Sounders, in by half time.