Real Salt Lake vs Houston Dynamo - Dynamo clinched a playoff spot last week in front of a 20k+ crowd on a stunning 86' bicycle kick by Brian Ching so a natural letdown expected here. They absolutely will not lie down because they want the #2 spot in the west which they own by just 2 points over Chivas USA with 2 games remaining. So a draw here maens they control own destiny for final match but gotta side with RSL. Houston lost here in August 3-1 and are just 1-2-4 in last 7 away games (including cup) and really struggling to score. RSL have been inconsistent but have pulled at least a point in 7 of last 10 games which must be their top stretch in their 2 year history. Scoring has not been a problem, especially at home but defense has been spotty. They are still on the outside looking in, 2 points behind Colorado who play home to RBNY, so 3 points is a must and anything less might eliminate them on Saturday night. Both teams are pretty healthy with the only significant missing player being Houston's Eddie Robinson who is suspended. I don't trust RSL enough to lay serious money but if not for their 0-1-5 start they'd be in the driver's seat and form-wise are a half-notch above Houston. RSL 4/10 @2.30 (mansion)
Dallas Hoops vs LA Galaxy - in one of the worst picks I've had, LA just dominated Chivas USA last week in a match that was not as close as the 3-0 score. LA were incredibly motivated and barely allowed Chivas possession, and you could really see how much the defending champs wanted to make the playoffs, something I thought they gave up on. They still have just tiny playoff hopes but with a home/home series with Dallas + the results of last week's games they at least have a shot currently 3 points back of Colorado with RSL in between. Dallas need a win in one of these matches vs LA to clinch home field throughout the MLS playoffs but what a disaster match they played in Columbus last week, losing 3-1 to the worst team in the league who knew at HT they had been eliminated from playoff consideration. They also lost keeper Sala for the next 3 weeks and Shaka Hislop was real shaky in goal. Dallas have been one of the worst teams in the league since the All-Star break, winning just 2 of their 11 games including being shut out 5 times. Those two wins were at home, however, and LA have lost 3 straight road games. Not sure if LA can repeat last week's performance but if they can the odds are way too high on them. no sense in messing with +1/2 goal because if LA do not win they will almost surely be eliminated. LA Galaxy 4/10 @4.80 (pointbet)
Dallas Hoops vs LA Galaxy - in one of the worst picks I've had, LA just dominated Chivas USA last week in a match that was not as close as the 3-0 score. LA were incredibly motivated and barely allowed Chivas possession, and you could really see how much the defending champs wanted to make the playoffs, something I thought they gave up on. They still have just tiny playoff hopes but with a home/home series with Dallas + the results of last week's games they at least have a shot currently 3 points back of Colorado with RSL in between. Dallas need a win in one of these matches vs LA to clinch home field throughout the MLS playoffs but what a disaster match they played in Columbus last week, losing 3-1 to the worst team in the league who knew at HT they had been eliminated from playoff consideration. They also lost keeper Sala for the next 3 weeks and Shaka Hislop was real shaky in goal. Dallas have been one of the worst teams in the league since the All-Star break, winning just 2 of their 11 games including being shut out 5 times. Those two wins were at home, however, and LA have lost 3 straight road games. Not sure if LA can repeat last week's performance but if they can the odds are way too high on them. no sense in messing with +1/2 goal because if LA do not win they will almost surely be eliminated. LA Galaxy 4/10 @4.80 (pointbet)
