Before the Round – Trends on USA MLS (30-31/08)

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The talk around Major League Soccer has been all about Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. The Herons are fighting for a place in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

MLS is now in its final stretch, with clubs battling for qualification to the postseason. Wednesday night will see several six-pointers played.

Austin FC - Seattle Sounders FC

Austin FC and Seattle Sounders FC will clash in a six-point Western Conference affair. These teams played five times previously, with Seattle posting a record of 2W-2D-1L.

Seattle Sounders fell 2-1 at home earlier this season playing against Austin. It was Austin’s first-ever win over the Sounders. Three of the last five games between these teams ended with under 2.5 goals.

Austin are battling for a place in the Western Conference playoffs. They currently occupy the final place in the Western Conference standings, but Minnesota United are just one point behind them with two games in hand.

• Austin FC have been winning at both half time and full time their last 3 home matches in Major League Soccer.
• In their last 11 games in Major League Soccer, Seattle Sounders have recorded only 2 wins.
• Austin FC are undefeated in 5 of their last 6 home Major League Soccer games.
• There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Seattle Sounders's last 4 league games.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Portland Timbers - Real Salt Lake

Portland Timbers sacked manager Giovanni Savarese last week after a 5-0 loss to Houston Dynamo. Portland followed it up with another defeat, losing 3-2 to Vancouver. The Timbers are six points off the final playoff place. A loss to Real Salt Lake could end their postseason hopes.

Real Salt Lake are third in the Western Conference and seven points off first-place St Louis City. Salt Lake are coming off a 3-0 loss to Houston which ended a five-match unbeaten streak.

These teams met twice previously this season in league and cup matches. Salt Lake won 4-3 in the US Open Cup before the teams drew nil-nil in Portland.

• Portland Timbers have managed just 1 wins in their last 8 league games
• Real Salt Lake are undefeated in their last 8 away league games
• In 3 of their most recent matches in Major League Soccer, Portland Timbers have seen over 2.5 goals scored
• Real Salt Lake are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 Major League Soccer games
• Prediction: Real Salt Lake

Inter Miami CF - Nashville SC

Inter Miami CF are alive. They won the Leagues Cup defeating Nashville on penalties in mid-July. They are also in the final of the US Open Cup. Messi’s arrival has turned around the franchise. Now, Inter Miami are fighting for a place in the playoffs.

After Saturday’s 2-0 win at New York Red Bulls, Miami are 11 points off the final playoff place. The Herons have games in hand.

Nashville are on a serious losing streak. The Yellows lost their last four MLS games. The losing streak has led Nashville to sink down the Eastern Conference standings. They are currently seventh and hanging onto a playoff place.

• Inter Miami CF have won only 1 of their last 12 Major League Soccer matches.
• Nashville SC have a poor record of 5 consecutive away losses in Major League Soccer.
• Inter Miami CF have been conceding 1.57 goals on average in their games (Major League Soccer).
• Nashville SC have lost by 2+ goals all of their last 3 Major League Soccer games.
• Prediction: Inter Miami CF

New England Revolution - New York Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls won their last four matches in all competitions against the New England Revolution. Wednesday’s match will be the third of the season between the clubs. The Red Bulls won at home, 2-1, before drawing nil-nil at home with the Revs in the Leagues Cup.

New England are second in the Eastern Conference with 43 points from 24 matches. They took 10 points from their last 18 points on offer in MLS. New England won their last five home matches.

New York lost three of their last four MLS games. They have been terrible on the road this season, winning just one of 11 matches away from Red Bull Arena.

• New England Revolution have not been beaten in their last 13 straight home clashes in Major League Soccer.
• New York Red Bulls have achieved just 1 wins of their last 13 away Major League Soccer games.
• There have been over 2.5 goals in New England Revolution's last 6 home Major League Soccer games.
• New York Red Bulls have lost just 1 of their last 6 fixtures in all competitions.
• Prediction: New England Revolution