Atlanta vs. Nashville (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Atlanta United will host Nashville SC this weekend in MLS, with the home side eager for a victory to boost their push for consecutive playoff appearances after a recent patchy run of form.
The visiting side, sitting 15th in the Eastern Conference table, are looking to end a 10-match losing streak across all competitions and find a way out of their current slump.
We say: Atlanta United 3-1 Nashville SC
Atlanta are likely to secure a win given their strong home form and recent attacking prowess while Nashville have struggled on the road.
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Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew (Sunday, 12.30am)
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This weekend's clash between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew promises to be a high-stakes encounter as both teams continue their fight for dominance at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference.
The hosts, currently second in the standings, are eager to regain their footing after a rocky run of form saw them surrender their lead, losing four of their last five games before a resounding 4-1 win in their last match.
We say: FC Cincinnati 2-1 Columbus Crew
Cincinnati's recent resurgence and home advantage should give them the edge, despite their defensive vulnerabilities.
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DC United vs. NY City (Sunday, 12.30am)
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DC United can maintain their playoff position in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS) with a victory over New York City FC on Saturday at Audi Field in the US capital.
Thanks to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire last weekend, the Black and Red moved above Atlanta United for the final post-season berth in the East, while the Pigeons remain fifth following a 4-2 defeat to the Columbus Crew.
We say: DC United 1-1 New York City FC
Desperation, combined with an in-form striker, can take you a long way, as DC are discovering, and for as much control as New York City have had in their matches this season, they seem a little too comfortable with their current position in the table, which may cost them more points this weekend.
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Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia (Sunday, 12.30am)
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The Philadelphia Union can climb above the Eastern Conference playoff line Saturday with a win over Inter Miami and some help when the two sides clash at Chase Stadium.
Miami are seven points clear of the Los Angeles Galaxy for the best record in Major League Soccer (MLS) following a 4-2 win over the Chicago Fire, while Philly are two points below the post-season line despite beating the New York Red Bulls 2-0 in their previous encounter.
We say: Inter Miami 2-1 Philadelphia Union
It does not seem to matter who is in the lineup for Miami, they always find a way to get the job done, and we do not foresee that changing against a Philly side that have been uncharacteristically inconsistent this season.
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Montreal vs. Charlotte FC (Sunday, 12.30am)
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CF Montreal will welcome Charlotte FC this weekend, with both teams seeking to build momentum as the regular MLS season winds down and just seven games left before the playoffs.
The hosts, currently 13th in the Eastern Conference, may see the playoffs as a distant goal, but they will aim to close the five-point gap to the final playoff spot with a crucial result against an opponent they have never lost to.
We say: CF Montreal 1-1 Charlotte FC
Montreal's home form alongside Charlotte's solid defensive record could make it a close contest.
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Orlando City vs. New England (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Orlando City welcome New England Revolution to Exploria Stadium in an MLS Eastern Conference clash this weekend, with both sides navigating contrasting paths this season.
With just one win in their last seven MLS outings, New England's playoff hopes are slipping away, making every point crucial as they aim to reverse their fortunes.
We say: Orlando City 2-0 New England Revolution
Orlando, buoyed by their recent victory and solid performance against New England in their last two meetings, will be confident of securing a convincing victory.
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Toronto vs. Austin (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Two sides in the thick of the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoff race will square off on Saturday as Austin FC visit BMO Field for the first time to face Toronto.
At the end of August, the Reds were beaten 3-1 by DC United, putting them just two points above the Eastern Conference post-season line, while the Verde and Black are two points below the playoff line out West following a 1-0 defeat at home to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
We say: Toronto 1-0 Austin FC
It has not always been pretty to watch, but Toronto always seem to find a way to remain in a playoff position, and we believe they will continue that trend against a side that have been rather poor in the attacking third all year.
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Chicago Fire vs. NY Red Bulls (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Two sides who have struggled for results in recent weeks square off in the MLS as Chicago Fire play host to New York Red Bulls at Soldier Field on Sunday morning.
Having failed to win any of the last five meetings between the sides, the Red Bulls will head into this one looking to get one over the hosts and pick up their first victory on the road since May.
We say: Chicago Fire 1-3 New York Red Bulls
Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls have struggled to grind out results in recent weeks and will head into the weekend in search of a morale-boosting as they head into the season run-in. We predict the Red Bulls will take the positives from their result against Sporting Kansas City and secure their first away win since mid May.
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Houston vs. Salt Lake (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Houston Dynamo will be looking to secure their first MLS home win since June when they welcome Real Salt Lake to the Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday evening.
Having suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat when the two sides met in the Leagues Cup group stages in August, the Claret and Cobalt will head into the weekend looking to get one over the hosts and secure their first away win since June 20.
We say: Houston Dynamo 2-1 Real Salt Lake
The last seven meetings between Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake have produced a combined 22 goals and we expect another end-to-end affair at the Shell Energy Stadium this weekend. Olsen's men boast a dominant home record against the Clarets and Cobalt and we are backing them to come away with the desired result.
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St Louis City vs. Minnesota Utd (Sunday, 1.30am)
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St Louis City set out in search of a third back-to-back home victory when they go head to head with Minnesota United at CityPark in the MLS on Saturday.
The Black and Blue will head into the weekend seeking to pick up consecutive wins for the first time since May and move within two points of the automatic playoff places.
We say: St Louis City 2-1 Minnesota United
With their playoff dreams potentially hinging on Saturday's results, we expect St Louis to go all out in search of maximum points at CityPark. Minnesota have struggled for results on their travels and we fancy Hackworth's men to come out on top, albeit by a slender margin.
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Colorado vs. Portland (Sunday, 2.30am)
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Portland Timbers will be aiming to move into the automatic playoff places when they visit the Dick's Sporting Goods Park to face Colorado Rapids on Saturday.
Having failed to win any of the last five meetings between the two sides, the Rapids will head into the weekend looking to get one over the Oregon outfit and extend their impressive home streak.
We say: Colorado Rapids 2-1 Portland Timbers
With just four points separating the two sides in the conference table, we anticipate an end-to-end affair this weekend as both sides look to put together a string run of form entering into the season's run-in.
However, the Rapids have been tough to crack at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park this season and we are tipping them to snap their winless run against Neville's men.
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Vancouver vs. Earthquakes (Sunday, 3.30am)
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Needing a victory to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, the San Jose Earthquakes travel to BC Place Stadium to battle the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.
The Quakes are dead last in the Major League Soccer (MLS) table with 17 points, losing their previous encounter 2-1 to Minnesota United, while the Caps are sixth in the West following a 0-0 draw with Dallas.
We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose have the worst defence in MLS, conceding a league-high 63 goals, and we suspect the Caps' strong transitional game will enable them to find the back of the net several times this weekend.
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LA Galaxy vs. Los Angeles (Sunday, 3.30am)
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The final El Trafico of the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign may determine who finishes first in the Western Conference as the Los Angeles Galaxy host Los Angeles FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday.
Right now, the Galaxy are four points above LAFC for first in the West despite losing their previous encounter versus St Louis City, 2-1, while the Black and Gold played to a 0-0 draw with the Houston Dynamo last weekend.
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 1-2 Los Angeles FC
This edition of LAFC know how to handle the stretch run of a long season, and we trust their defensive shape a lot more than the Galaxy's, which remains a big flaw that has held them back.
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Ben Knapton
