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MLS Week 3 Odds & Picks: New York vs Chicago, New England vs Atlanta & Nashville vs Miami

Ryan Metivier

by Ryan Metivier in Soccer News

Updated Apr 30, 2021 · 10:38 AM PDT

MLS Week 3
Nashville SC midfielder Brian Anunga (27) plays against CF Montréal during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 24, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
  • MLS Week 3 features a heavy Saturday slate with ten matches, followed by another three on Sunday
  • The LA Galaxy are the only team to have started the season at 2-0
  • Read on for the odds and our best bets from MLS Week 3 here

MLS Week 3 gets rolling with the Red Bulls hosting the Fire at 1:00 pm EST Saturday afternoon.

Week 2 offered plenty of storylines including a Chicharito hat-trick, goals by each of the brothers Higuain for Miami, the first-ever MLS win for expansion side Austin FC, a 5-0 mauling of NYCFC over FC Cincinnati and all kinds of on and off-field antics between RSL keeper David Ochoa with the Loons, Adrian Heath, the Wonderwall and social media.

The season may have just started but there’s already early fixture congestion. Five MLS teams, Toronto (3-1 loss Cruz Azul), Atlanta and Philadelphia (3-0 Philly win), Columbus (2-2 draw Monterrey) and Portland (1-1 draw Club America) were all involved in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League during the week. They’ll be back at it next week for leg two, meaning surely some or all the clubs may see some roster rotation this weekend.

After a relatively calm opening weekend when OVERs only went 8-5 and both teams scoring took place in 7/13 matches, Week 2 saw goal explosions. OVER bettors went 10-3 and both teams scored in all but two of the 13 matches.

Let’s look ahead to the odds and best bets from the MLS Week 3 schedule below.

MLS Week 3 Odds

Matchup Home Draw Away
New York Red Bulls vs Chicago +108 +265 +225
Real Salt Lake vs Sporting Kansas City +138 +255 +175
Montreal vs Columbus +205 +275 +114
Houston vs LAFC +180 +280 +123
New England vs Atlanta -134 +280 +340
Orlando vs Cincinnati -205 +320 +550
Philadelphia vs New York City +143 +245 +175
Dallas vs Portland +104 +255 +245
Minnesota vs Austin -127 +290 +300
San Jose vs DC -113 +235 +330
Nashville vs Inter Miami -103 +245 +330
Seattle vs LA Galaxy -182 +300 +480
Vancouver vs Colorado +250 +280 -107

Odds as of April 29 at DraftKings

New York Red Bulls vs Chicago Fire Prediction

We may only be two games into the season, but New York and Chicago are both 2-0 to OVER 2.5 totals and their matches have averaged four goals per game. Only four teams’ games have averaged more goals so far in the league: LA, Toronto and Montreal (5.0) and Cincinnati (4.5). The Red Bulls host the Fire at 1:00 pm EST Saturday in MLS Week 3.

The Red Bulls started their season with a 2-1 defeat at home to SKC, before suffering another defeat last week at the hands of Chicharito and the Galaxy (3-2).

Meanwhile, Chicago saw an early 2-0 lead over New England evaporate into a 2-2 draw, before suffering a 3-1 loss to Atlanta in Week 2.

At 3.6 (Chicago) and 4.1 (NY) in expected goals against (xGA), each team ranks near the bottom of the East in that category. The Fire are creating plenty of shots with 31, ranking fifth in MLS, but have also given up the fourth-most at 32. Meanwhile, the Red Bulls, despite only allowing 14 attempts on their goal (a league-best) and seven on target, have still managed to concede five goals.

That’s troubling against a Robert Beric-lead Fire attack which should be able to find the back of the net. However, the Fire, much like in seasons past, are still struggling to keep things tight at the back.

Last season the teams split the points in a 2-2 draw in Chicago.

I see this one being pretty wide-open with at least three goals and goals from both sides.

Pick: Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 (-110 at Bet365)

New England Revolution vs Atlanta United Prediction

Two 1-1-0 teams meet in MLS Week 3 when New England hosts Atlanta at 7:00 pm EST Saturday night. The two are tied with four points, with Atlanta second and New England third in the East based on goal-differential.

Each team has started the season with both a high-scoring and low-scoring match. Atlanta drew 0-0 with Orlando, before defeating Chicago 3-1 last week. Meanwhile, New England drew Chicago 2-2 and came out on top 1-0 against DC last week. However, the lone goal was an own goal by DC.

Atlanta was in play this week in the CCL and despite a strong start, were unable to find the scoresheet. That came back to haunt them as Philadelphia scored three times in the second half including two by Kacper Przybylko to win leg-one of the quarterfinals on the road. The two will meet once again this coming week for leg two.

With an adjusted and shortened schedule last season, these teams actually didn’t meet in 2020. However, Atlanta holds a strong all-time record versus the Revs. They’ve won the last four meetings and are 5-2-0 (WDL) all-time.

In two league matches there’s only been a combined three goals conceded by these two so far. Atlanta may elect to rotate and play a little more defensively given their CCL schedule, leaving me to see a tight contest in this one.

Pick: Under 2.5 (+104)

Nashville SC vs Inter Miami Prediction

No team has more expected goals (xG), shots or shots on target than second-year side Nashville SC after two weeks of play. Heading into MLS Week 3 they’re tied with the second-most average possession in the league as well. This after 2-2 draws with both Cincinnati and Montreal. True, neither of these teams are exceptional at the back, but neither would also be considered dominant offensively. Yet both were able to score twice on Nashville.

Inter Miami in some ways would also fall into a similar category. Clean sheets are rare for Phil Neville’s new side. After a 3-2 loss to the Galaxy and 2-1 win over Philly last week, Miami has now allowed a goal in nine-straight and in 16 of 17 going back into last season. However, it’s fair to say Miami boast a much more fearful attack than either of Cincinnati or Montreal. And a win over the Supporters’ Shield holders last week will definitely inspire confidence.

Nashville isn’t the tight defensive team they were last season, nor so are they the same low scorers.

I like the OVER 2.5 (-125) or a more straightforward bet on both teams to score.

Pick: Both Teams to Score (-150)

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