Seattle Sounders vs Real Salt Lake Odds & Prediction – MLS Cup Playoffs Round One

• The Seattle Sounders aim to overcome a late-season swoon as they host Real Salt Lake in MLS Cup playoff action as home favorites
• The Sounders are winless in six straight outings, but have been virtually unbeatable at home in playoff action since 2013
• Read on for all the odds and trends ahead of Tuesday night’s MLS Cup playoffs clash at Lumen Field

The Seattle Sounders will be looking to snap a schedule-ending six-match losing streak when they make their return to MLS Cup playoff action with a Round One home date with Real Salt Lake as -155 favorites. Real also struggled at times down the stretch, falling to defeat in three of their final five contests, and look to Tuesday’s contest as lengthy +400 underdogs.

Here’s a look at all the odds, trends, and best bets ahead of this 2021 MLS Cup playoff matchup, set for 10:30 pm ET on Tuesday night at Lumen Field.

Seattle Sounders vs Real Salt Lake Odds

Odds as of Nov 22 at DraftKings 

Seattle Sounders vs Real Salt Lake Betting Trends

Real Salt Lake enter Tuesday’s Round One clash aiming to tally consecutive victories over Seattle in league play for the first time in 2013. The club escaped with a 1-0 victory when they entertained the Sounders back in mid-September. In addition to marking their first victory over their long-time rivals in five meetings since August 2019, the win also extended a steady run of success for home teams, who have earned the win in 11 of their past head-to-head matchups.

Moderate scoring has also been the norm when these clubs clash. Both teams have found the back of the net in three of their past four clashes, with the total topping 2.5 in four of their past six.

Real Salt Lake Outlook

Listed as +5000 longshots in the MLS Cup championship odds entering the postseason, Real Salt Lake aims to build on a narrow 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Decision Day. The victory put the brakes on a worrisome two-match slide in which Real surrendered seven total goals and also marked the first time the club kept clean sheets since their 1-0 home win over Seattle in mid-September.

FT: #RSL 1-0 #Sounders

Damir Kreilach with the game winner for the home team, RSL! #RSLvSEA | #MLS pic.twitter.com/qoO03gruhb

— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) September 19, 2021

Indeed, shutting down opposing shooters has been a season-long challenge for RSL, who rank dead last among playoff-bound clubs on defense after surrendering an average of 1.59 goals per match overall this season, and almost two goals per match on the road.

90'+5' GOAL!!

DAMIR KREILACH SENDS #RSL TO THE POSTSEASON!#SKCvRSL // #DecisionDay pic.twitter.com/Cns97LSmX9

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 8, 2021

However, RSL can also put the ball in the net. The club ranked sixth in goals scored this season, potting a total of 55. Midfielder Damir Kreilach has led the charge, tallying a club-high 16 markers. That total includes four goals over his past five road appearances, capped by the match-winner in Real’s Decision Day victory over Sporting, and has lifted the talented Croatian to an attractive +210 bet to find the back of the net on Tuesday night.

Seattle Sounders vs Real Salt Lake Head-to-Head Stats

Seattle Sounders Outlook

The Seattle Sounders will be hoping to rediscover the touch that has propelled them to an MLS Cup Final berth in four of the past five years when they hit the pitch at Lumen Field on Tuesday night. The Sounders remain perched as favorites in their Round One clash with Real despite ending the season on a dismal 0-3-3 win-draw-loss run.

On Sounders' 6-game winless run and comparisons to 7-game run to end 2013:
– Sounders outscored 10-5 this time; were outscored 15-5 in 2013
– Sounders actually had a positive xGD this time (9.08-7.74 according to @FotMob)
– Their three DPs only played 38% of available minutes

— Jeremiah Oshan (@JeremiahOshan) November 8, 2021

The club earned just a single point in two home dates during that stretch, but have otherwise been steady when playing at Lumen Field, outscoring opponents by an 8-1 margin while claiming victory in each of their three previous home dates, and compiling a respectable 8-5-4 overall home record this season. The Sounders are particularly strong on home turf in the playoffs, where they are undefeated in 16 contests since 2013.

Additionally, if Ruidíaz scores, he would become the second-fastest player in #MLSCupPlayoffs history to score 10 goals (11 games).#Sounders pic.twitter.com/kr5c7bz0F2

— Ryan Perez (@rynprz) November 22, 2021

Timing also appears to be on the Sounders’ side, at least on the injury front. The club saw a trio of key players return to training last week after being sidelined by injuries over the past month, including Raul Ruidiaz (hamstring), Joao Paulo (hamstring), and Jimmy Medranda (hamstring). Ruidiaz’s return should provide a somewhat moribund Sounders offense with a big lift.

Affectionately known as ‘The Flea” for his ability to evade opposing defenders, Ruidiaz has racked up a club-leading 17 goals in just 26 league appearances this season and offers plenty of value as a +100 favorite to score anytime on Tuesday.

The Picks: Both to Score & No Draw (+145); Over 2.5 (-140)