MLS Picks Today – Week 8 Odds & Predictions

• Six games at 7:30 pm EST get MLS Week 8 rolling this Saturday as part of a 14-game schedule this weekend
• Will the Galaxy get their first win of the season when they host LAFC on Sunday?
• See all of the MLS odds plus our top MLS picks for Week 8 here

It’s another Saturday in MLS and that means another heavy slate of action with 13 games kicking off on April 15. This week, Sunday will also include one match and it’s a big one as El Trafico returns with the Galaxy hosting LAFC at 4:30 pm EST. We’re breaking down this weekend’s MLS Week 8 card with our top MLS picks here.

MLS Odds Week 8

There are no huge favorites in the MLS Week 8 odds as the -155 Red Bulls at home to Houston own the shortest odds, followed by FC Dallas (-140) at home to RSL. Otherwise, each of Montreal, NYCFC and Austin are also listed at odds-on, but only at -105. MLS odds from April 14 at DraftKings Sportsbook.

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MLS Picks Week 8

A few news and notes to consider heading into the weekend before making your MLS picks.

Each of Philadelphia, LAFC and Vancouver played midweek in the CCL.

Orlando was on a bye last week so should be fresh for their trip to Minnesota.

Reinforcements are arriving in Miami., who are this week’s bye team. Striker Leo Campana returned from injury last week and played 58 minutes. Meanwhile, a likely Gregore replacement is arriving in the way of Dixon Arroyo, the captain of first place Ecuadorian side Emelec.

CF Montreal’s -13 goal differential is the worst-ever in MLS after an opening six games. Betting them as a favorite over anyone right now is not advised.

St Louis (6-1) and RSL (5-1) have played to the most Over 2,5 totals this season. While Nashville (7-0) and each of New York Red Bulls, Inter Miami and NYCFC (6-1) have been dead nuts Unders. NYCFC and Nashville meet up this weekend and could be a good Under bet at -140.

Toronto FC vs Atlanta United Prediction

Toronto have become the draw kings. After dropping their opening match 3-2 to DC, TFC are 1-5-0 since. Their 0-0 draw last week in Nashville was their third straight draw. That one win, was their only win since last August, drawing and losing every other match since.

Two of those 0-0 draws came on the road. At home at BMO Field they’ve scored in all three games for a total of five goals. Going back to last season they’ve scored in 9/10 at BMO.

These teams played back on March 4 and surprise, surprise it was a draw, 1-1. Atlanta dominated the possession (67%), shots (16-4) and shots on target (6-3).

Matchday 8?

Matchday 8. 😏 pic.twitter.com/c4Zyx5JN0F

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 13, 2023

It was fourth straight “both teams to score” game between them with scorelines reading 1-1, 4-2, 2-1 and 1-1 in those matches. Both teams have won one game, while there’s been two draws. In the 14 all-time meetings a road team has only won twice.

Toronto’s defense has significantly improved since last season and their xGA of 7.4 is actually ninth-best in the league. But they’ll be under fire from this high-flying Atlanta offense that’s scored 14 goals overall and at least once in all seven games. Everything starts and often ends with Thiago Almada for Atlanta, as he leads the team in goals (4) and assists (5). But Giorgos Giakoumakis is also coming on, with goals in each of his past three games.

However, they will be short-handed in goal as starting keeper Brad Guzan suffered a torn MCL that will see him miss the next 10-12 weeks. His backup could be ex-TFC keeper Quentin Westberg.

Atlanta look too good right now to not score. But TFC at home, and with a possible return of Lorenzo Insigne should also find the scoresheet.

• MLS Predictions: Both teams to score (-150), risk 1 unit at Caesars Sportsbook

Columbus Crew vs New England Revolution Prediction

Fourth in the East, Columbus, hosts second in the conference, New England on Saturday at 7:30 pm EST. The Crew have won three straight and sit at 4-1-2, while being the league’s highest scoring team with 17 goals. The Revolution are undefeated in four games themselves and are 5-1-1 on the season so far.

The last game between these two was also at this venue, back in July, and ended in a 0-0 draw. But the three previous meetings saw scorelines of 2-2, 1-1 and 2-2.

At home Columbus is currently riding a nine-match undefeated streak, while additionally only losing once in their past 14 at Lower.com Field. They’ve scored multiple goals in each of their past four on their home pitch.

On the season, Lucas Zelarayan leads the Crew with four goals, followed by both Aidan Morris and Christian Ramirez with three.

The Revs also enter this game on an impressive run, having only lost once, a 4-0 road defeat to LAFC earlier this season, in their past nine games dating back to last season. That LAFC defeat being the only time they failed to score during that stretch,

No one player has been dominating the Revs’ scoring charts, but eight different players have contributed a goal for New England so far. Four have scored multiple goals, Carles Gil has two goals and three assists and DP Giacomo Vrioni opened his account last week.

With both teams in good scoring form I’ll back goals coming from both sides.

• MLS Predictions: Both teams to score (-135), risk 1 unit at Caesars Sportsbook

MLS Picks – Week 8 Parlay

Here’s a two-teamer for this weekend as part of your MLS picks.

Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders Prediction

Portland hasn’t won since opening day and that was a 1-0 home win over the league’s worst side, SKC. They’re 0-2-4 since and have scored just once in their past three games. They were already missing a slew of players and now will have to do without attacking midfielder Eryk Williamson who’s torn his ACL.

Meanwhile Seattle just took over top spot in the West by defeating St. Louis 3-0 last week.

Portland has actually had plenty of recent success against Seattle, winning 2-1 and 3-0 and drawing 0-0 with them last season. They’re undefeated versus the Sounders in four games right now.

The Timbers have allowed the second most goals in the West with 12, while only Columbus’ 17 goals top the 15 scored by Seattle and St. Louis overall.

Seattle has only conceded three times this season and already have four clean sheets. Seattle is not typically strong on the road. They were winless in ten straight, losing nine, away from home dating back into last season. However. they have posted back-to-back road wins over the Galaxy (2-1) and SKC (4-1).

Everything is clicking in Seattle right now. They took down the previously undefeated St. Louis and have an embarrassment of riches where Raul Ruidiaz can only find substitures minutes, yet still scores. And that’s because Jordan Morris is lighting it up as a number 9 with eight goals, a current league-best.

Taking the Sounders at plus-money staight up could very well be a play but for the purposes of this parlay we’ll take the double chance (win or draw).

Will home-field advantage help push these four clubs over the top this weekend? @tombogert explains why each of these matches is a must-win. 👊

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 13, 2023

LA Galaxy vs LAFC Prediction

In the 17 all-time meetings between these teams, only three times have both teams not scored in a match. So goals can usually be a given.

But, goals have been few and far between for the Galaxy this season as they only have three, the second-fewest in the league. They were shut out 3-0 last week against Houston and saw Martin Caceres and Douglas Costa ejected for irresponsible red cards.

They’ll be missing them, plus starting keeper Jonathan Bond, but did see the return of Chicharito last week in a substitute’s role. If Chicharito is fit to start he could add the needed punch for the Galaxy to stand a chance here.

Because otherwise, it’s hard to find many reasons not to side with LAFC. The current champs are 4-2-0, have scored 12 goals, while only conceding three and just completed brushing aside the Vancouver Whitecaps 6-0 on aggregate in the CCL.

LAFC are tied for the sixth-most shots on target this season and constantly have the ball in their opponent’s penalty area, ranking fifth in penalty area touches. Defensively, only the Red Bulls have allowed fewer attempted shots than LAFC’s 55. They also have the league’s second-leading scorer in Denis Bouanga, who’s recorded six goals and two assists in league play.

It’s MLS and it’s El Trafico so I’ll play it safe and include LAFC on the double chance as well for this parlay.

• MLS Predictions: Seattle double chance & LAFC double chance (-112); risk 1 unit at Caesars Sportsbook

We had a sweep with our three MLS picks last week, going 3-0 for +2.36 units. We’re now 10-13, -4.38 units on the season,

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