Charlotte FC vs. Nashville (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Charlotte FC are set to host Nashville SC at the Bank of America Stadium on Sunday in MLS's Eastern Conference.
Sixth-placed Charlotte are just three points ahead of 12th-placed Nashville, and though both sides have struggled for consistency in the first third of the season, the teams are still in contention for a coveted spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
We say: Charlotte FC 1-1 Nashville SC
Nashville's struggle to keep clean sheets could prove to be problematic against Charlotte, but captain Zimmerman could be key to marshalling their defence.
On the other hand, Charlotte have had difficulties in front of goal, and it remains to be seen whether their recent increased output is reflective of genuine, sustained improvement under Dean Smith.
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Montreal vs. Inter Miami (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Lionel Messi will visit Canada for the first time in his professional career on Saturday when Inter Miami travel to Saputo Stadium to face CF Montreal.
Montreal were beaten 4-1 by Nashville SC in their previous MLS clash, dropping down to 11th in the Eastern Conference, while the Herons continue to lead the Supporters' Shield standings owing to a 6-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls.
We say: CF Montreal 1-4 Inter Miami
Le CFM have conceded four or more goals in three domestic away fixtures this season, and that was against three low-scoring teams in the Seattle Sounders, Chicago Fire and Nashville, so we imagine that a quality side like Miami would do a lot of damage against them.
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NY Red Bulls vs. New England (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Seeking consecutive victories for the first time in the 2024 MLS regular season, the New England Revolution head to Red Bull Arena on Saturday to face the New York Red Bulls.
A 6-2 defeat to Inter Miami extended the Red Bulls' winless run to four matches in league play, while the Revs ended a four-game losing run across all competition by defeating the Chicago Fire 1-0.
We say: New York Red Bulls 1-0 New England Revolution
While New England are getting some attacking pieces back, it might take those players some time to get back into game shape, while they are becoming a little too dependent on Carles Gil to create chances.
The Red Bulls are much sharper defensively at home, and we expect to see a determined side that will be out to prove that their second-half performance last week was just a minor hiccup.
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Philadelphia vs. Orlando City (Sunday, 12.30am)
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After three games without a win, Orlando City will focus on getting their season back on track when they travel to face Philadelphia Union.
The hosts have had a much stronger start to the season and could break into the top four of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference with three points this weekend.
We say: Philadelphia Union 2-0 Orlando City
Philadelphia might be in a difficult run of form at the moment, but they have been a far stronger team throughout the season to this point.
The hosts will expect to take all three points this weekend, and the poor start to the campaign that Orlando City have had could continue.
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Toronto vs. NY City (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Matchday 13 of the 2024 MLS regular season begins with a matinee affair at BMO Field on Saturday between Toronto and New York City FC.
The Reds are third in the Eastern Conference thanks to their 3-1 win over Dallas, while the Pigeons are seventh following a 2-0 defeat at home to the Colorado Rapids.
We say: Toronto 1-1 New York City FC
The Reds have been fairly tidy defensively at BMO Field, conceding a goal or fewer in all but one of their regular season home fixtures, and we believe they will be able to limit the Pigeons' opportunities this weekend.
NYCFC are a different side away from home, though they usually can hang around in those contests, which is why we project they will be able to nab a point.
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Atlanta vs. DC United (Sunday, 12.30am)
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DC United will travel to Atlanta United this weekend and look to extend their unbeaten run to three games.
Both teams are currently mid-table in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference, with three points having the chance to propel either team further up the division.
We say: Atlanta United 1-1 DC United
Both teams are quite evenly-matched heading into this weekend, and that should lead to a competitive and closely-contested match.
With little between them in the league and with their recent form, it would not be a surprise to see them share the points this weekend.
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Columbus Crew vs. Cincinnati (Sunday, 12.45am)
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In-form sides Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati will do battle at Lower.com Field on Sunday in matchday 12 of the 2023-24 Major League Soccer season.
The hosts are without defeat in their last nine matches across all competitions, while their visitors head into this weekend's clash on a run of three straight wins.
We say: Columbus Crew 2-0 FC Cincinnati
Columbus' record in this fixture coupled with their home form makes them huge favourites to come out on top here. We are backing the hosts to secure maximum points at the end of the 90 minutes.
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Dallas vs. Austin (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Dallas will be looking to get back to winning ways in the MLS when they host Austin FC at Toyota Stadium on Sunday.
The Texans have endured a poor start to the season, winning just twice in ten matches so far and sitting just one place above the relegation zone.
We say: Dallas 1-1 Austin FC
Dallas have been poor this year but both seven of their eight points have come on home soil. The hosts also have an ongoing unbeaten run at home against the visitors, who have struggled on the road as well. We expect a draw here as the home side are not in a great moment.
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Kansas vs. Houston (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Sporting Kansas City will be looking to record consecutive wins for the first time since February when they welcome Houston Dynamo to Children's Mercy Park on Sunday.
On the other hand, the away side make the trip this weekend in search of a what would be a first victory in five matches across all competitions.
We say: Sporting Kansas City 2-1 Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo have struggled in front of goal recently but we can see them getting on the score sheet in this one. That said, we are also backing the home side to get the job done, albeit by only a narrow margin.
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St Louis City vs. Chicago Fire (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Aiming to convert draws into wins as they hope to challenge for the league title once again, St Louis City will welcome an out-of-form Chicago Fire side to CityPark on Saturday night in MLS.
City are enjoying an unbeaten run but have only won once during that period, whilst the Fire have some serious issues in front of goal to rectify ahead of this weekend's trip to Missouri.
We say: St Louis City 2-0 Chicago Fire
Despite failing to convert their draws into wins so far this season, St Louis have been a tough nut to crack in MLS, losing just one of their opening 10 games.
Therefore, City should be confident of recording a positive result at CityPark, and considering Chicago's dry spell in front of goal, the hosts are likely to be good enough for maximum points in this one.
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Colorado vs. Earthquakes (Sunday, 2.30am)
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With 11 points already separating them in the Major League Soccer Western Conference, Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes will square off at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Sunday.
The visitors find themselves at the foot of the division after 11 outings with just seven points on the board, while their hosts sit fifth thanks to a strong start to the season.
We say: Colorado Rapids 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes have certainly started to show signs of improvement after a dismal start to the season, but Colorado Rapids have been the stronger of the two sides thus far and had no trouble in cruising past the Quakes last time out.
We back Chris Armas's side to again prevail on Sunday, albeit in a tougher test with the visitors growing in confidence.
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LA Galaxy vs. Salt Lake (Sunday, 3.30am)
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Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake meet in a top-of-the-table clash in the Western Conference on Saturday night.
The MLS high-flyers sit in third and first in the standings respectively, the home side having the chance to move ahead of the visitors.
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 1-2 Real Salt Lake
Although LA Galaxy have home advantage, we cannot ignore their indifferent form of late. In sharp contrast, Real Salt Lake have been building a head of steam, and that could help the visitors come through in a closely-fought fixture.
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Los Angeles vs. Vancouver (Sunday, 3.30am)
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In a rematch from the opening round of the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs, the Vancouver Whitecaps begin a three-game road trip in league play by travelling to BMO Stadium for a date with Los Angeles FC on Saturday.
A 3-1 defeat at the San Jose Earthquakes dropped the Black and Gold into seventh in the Western Conference, three points below the Caps, who played to a 0-0 draw with Austin FC.
We say: Los Angeles FC 2-2 Vancouver Whitecaps
These teams like to push the pace and are particularly strong in transition, and they each possess potent finishers, so we expect to see the back of the net bulge a few times.
Both of them, however, have often let their opponents back into matches, which is why we project an entertaining affair in which they will share the spoils.
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Ben Knapton
