Top Soccer Betting Picks of the Week – June 25th Edition

One unusual statistic has emerged in the first half of the 2019 Major League Soccer campaign: the Montreal Impact sit in second place in the Eastern Conference — with a -7 goal differential. In the East table, the next-highest team with a negative goal differential is Toronto FC, in seventh place with a -2 differential. Part of this has to do with the fact that no one is running away with the conference; Philadelphia leads with just a 9-4-4 record and 27 points. In the Western Conference, LAFC is off to a scorchin 11-1-4 start, with 37 points in 16 matches, six points ahead of the L.A. Galaxy and 11 points ahead of Seattle. Thinking about some wagers as part of your soccer betting this week? We have some solid picks for your consideration.

Top Soccer Betting Picks of the Week – June 25th Edition

Week 16 positional rankings from @DraftKicks https://t.co/FshWg8Gu0d

— MLS Fantasy Soccer (@MLSFantasy) June 19, 2019

Friday, June 28

Chicago at N.Y. Red Bulls (8:00pm ET)

Chicago hosted Real Salt Lake on June 22 and played to a 1-1 draw. The Fire got an early goal from Aleksandar Katai in the fifth minute but then saw Real Salt Lake draw a penalty in the 33rd minute, and Albert Rusnak converted from the spot. The game did not feature a lot of offense, as the teams tied in shots (7-7, 2-2 on target), with possession relatively even (Real Salt Lake holding for 57 percent of the game). There was a lot of physical play, with 35 combined fouls between the two teams. The Red Bulls last played on June 8 and lost in Philadelphia, 3-2. The Red Bulls jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half, thanks to a goal from Alejandro Romero in the 29th minute and another from Brian White in the 42nd. After halftime, though, the Union poured it on, with Jamiro Monteiro scoring in the 60th minute and Ilsinho getting the equalizer just a minute later. Ilsinho would then complete the brace in the 72nd minute to give Philadelphia the lead, and the Union would hold on the rest of the way to get the two points. Philadelphia dominated in shots (17-8, 7-4 on target) and led in possession, 59-41. If the Red Bulls can play a more complete defensive game, then can beat a Chicago team that is limited in terms of offensive production. Soccer Betting Prediction: New York 3, Chicago 1

LAFC at Colorado (10:00pm ET)

Colorado went to Vancouver on June 22 and came away with a 2-2 draw that had to leave Rapids fans disappointed. Diego Rubio staked Colorado to a 1-0 lead with a penalty kick in the eighth minute, and Andre Shinyashiki added a second goal twelve minutes later. However, Vancouver drew a penalty in stoppage time at the end of the first half to draw within a goal, and then Yordy Reyna brought the Rapids level in the 80th minute. Vancouver applied plenty of pressure, outshooting Colorado 22-15 (9-5 on target) and possessed for 70 percent of the game. Colorado played a physical game, committing 16 fouls and earning four yellow cards but were not able to keep Vancouver from finishing the draw. LAFC has not played since June 1 so may have some rust after that 27-day layoff. In their last action, they went to Portland beat the Timbers, 3-2. Carlos Vela scored the first goal for AFC in the sixth minute and added a second goal by Diego Rossi in the 34th minute. Portland got a goal just after halftime from Cristhian Paredes, only to see Latif Blessing restore LAFC’s two-gal lead eight minutes later. Brian Fernandez added a tally in the 84th minute to make things interesting, but despite a 19-16 shot advantage (7-6 on target) and possessing for 54 percent of the game, the Timbers could not complete the comeback. Soccer Betting Prediction: LAFC 2, Colorado 1