Before the Round – Trends on USA MLS (13/07)

1982

MLS round No 25 will feature a slate of conference rivalry matches. FC Cincinnati have slipped up in the Eastern Conference and are now just seven points ahead of second-placed Nashville SC.

In the Western Conference, newcomers St Louis City continue to top the standings.

New England Revolution - Atlanta United FC

New England Revolution and Atlanta United played a wild match earlier this season, with six goals being scored in a 3-3 draw. Two of the last three games between these sides ended as draws.

Atalanta United do not have a strong record against New England. They won just one of their last six matches versus the Revolution. The Five Stripes are in good form thanks to back-to-back wins. Atlanta kept clean sheets in both games.

New England failed to win their last two matches, picking up one point from six. A 2-2 draw with Cincinnati was followed by a 2-1 loss to New York Red Bulls. The Revs are on a three-game home winning streak. Atlanta failed to win five of their last six road games.

• New England Revolution are unbeaten at half time in their last 14 home Major League Soccer games.
• Atlanta United have achieved just 3 wins of their last 26 away Major League Soccer games.
• New England Revolution haven't lost in 22 of their last 24 home matches in Major League Soccer.
• Atlanta United are unbeaten in 9 of their last 10 matches in Major League Soccer.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score

New York Red Bulls - FC Cincinnati

New York Red Bulls are looking for a first win over FC Cincinnati in five tries. Three of the last four games between these clubs ended as 1-1 draws. Meanwhile, five of the last six games between New York and Cincinnati ended with under 2.5 goals.

Cincy went winless in their last three games, picking up two points from nine on offer. They conceded at least 2.0 goals in each of those three matches.

New York Red Bulls are 10th in the Eastern Conference. They are inconsistent this season but are coming off a 2-1 win at home over New England. The Red Bulls are on a two-game home winning streak.

• New York Red Bulls have not been beaten in 5 of their 6 most recent home matches in Major League Soccer.
• FC Cincinnati haven't lost a match in 19 of their last 21 matches in Major League Soccer.
• The average number of goals scored by New York Red Bulls is 0.95 for their matches in Major League Soccer.
• FC Cincinnati have managed to win just 2 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
• Prediction: Draw

Chicago Fire - CF Montreal

CF Montreal are on a four-game winning streak against Chicago Fire in all competitions. Last season, Montreal did the double over Chicago, with the Black and Blue scoring 2.0 goals or more.

Chicago Fire are 11th in the standings, with 26 points from 21 matches this season. Three of the last four games between these teams saw the Fire fail to score a single goal. Chicago have drawn six of their 10 games at home this season.

CF Montreal are on a two-game losing streak in MLS. They have already lost 11 matches this term from 21 fixtures. Only last-placed Inter Miami have lost more games (13). Montreal failed to win their last five away games.

• In their last 11 home games in Major League Soccer, Chicago Fire have recorded 10 undefeated encounters.
• Montreal Impact are in an unfortunate period, having won just 1 of their last 11 away matches in Major League Soccer.
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Chicago Fire's last 6 games in all competitions.
• Montreal Impact haven't scored a single goal in all of their last 3 Major League Soccer games.
• Prediction: Chicago Fire

Houston Dynamo - Minnesota United FC

In the Western Conference, eighth-placed Houston Dynamo host 11th-placed Minnesota United. Home-field played an advantage in the last three games between these clubs. The home team won all three of those games.

Houston Dynamo defeated Minnesota United earlier this season in the US Open Cup, 4-0. It was Houston’s first win over Minnesota in three tries. The Dynamo are winless in their last three MLS games, taking one point from nine.

Minnesota could have new signing Teemu Pukki fit to start the match. He will hope to improve United’s attack, which scored just 22 goals in the opening 20 matches. The Loons won just one of their last six games. Houston are the best home team in the MLS Western Conference with a record of 7W-2D-1L.

• Houston Dynamo haven't lost a match in 9 of their last 10 home matches in Major League Soccer.
• Minnesota United have won just 1 of their last 8 away league games.
• Houston Dynamo have scored 2+ goals in all of their last 4 home Major League Soccer games.
• Both teams have scored in 5 of Minnesota United's last 6 encounters in Major League Soccer.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals