Caps to be frustrated on home patch
Vancouver Whitecaps take on Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference on Sunday as MLS begins to take centre stage in club football.
The hosts are struggling in the standings, 12th of 14, but still have time to make up ground on the teams around them.
Caps are four points behind the play-off spots but have been finding the net with some regularity of late.
Real Salt Lake are third in the Conference, but their form is not sparkling with Los Angeles FC comfortably leading the Western Conference with a four point cushion on RSL and second placed FC Dallas.
Process
Even though RSL are flying high in third place, according to expected goals (xG) they are overperforming and that will be something that gives the Caps some confidence that they can get a result on home soil.
Caps have been a touch unfortunate in both boxes in their 14 outings so far in MLS, scoring 14 from 15.2 xG and conceding 23 from 20.9 xGA.
Still not a healthy defensive process really, and one that if not improved will make it very difficult for them to qualify for the play-offs, an average of 1.61 xGA per game, but there could be a regression to the mean in their favour at some stage.
RSL have also underperformed in both boxes narrowly, and will be confident of putting in an assured defensive display to increase their chances of taking something home.
RSL are averaging a much healthier 1.34 xGA per game and having a positive xG difference.
Goals?
Not an angle for me with RSL potentially taking quite a cautious approach.
Caps have scored in nine of ten.
Caps have conceded in seven of ten.
Caps have seen both teams score in six of ten.
Caps have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
RSL have scored in six of ten.
RSL have conceded in seven of ten.
RSL have seen both teams score in four of ten.
RSL have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
With a seven point cushion inside the play-offs, a point is a decent result on the road for RSL, and having been stronger in both boxes this season, I am happy to get them onside with a zero start.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A much needed 2-1 win for the Caps.