Toronto vs. Inter Miami (Saturday, 9.00pm)
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In their final regular-season fixture of the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign, Toronto host Inter Miami on Saturday at BMO Field.
A 4-1 defeat versus the New York Red Bulls in midweek has the Reds clinging to that final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference in ninth, while the Herons officially clinched the Supporters' Shield crown thanks to a 3-2 triumph over the Columbus Crew.
We say: Toronto 0-3 Inter Miami
Miami have shown they are perhaps the deepest team in the league regarding attacking quality and creativity, and we believe that will continue against a defensive unit in Toronto that still have issues to sort out.
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Vancouver vs. Minnesota Utd (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Minnesota United can leapfrog the Vancouver Whitecaps for seventh in the Western Conference table when the two sides clash in MLS action on Saturday at BC Place Stadium.
Both sides have officially booked a playoff berth, despite the Caps losing 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday, while the Loons played to a 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake.
We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 1-3 Minnesota United
The Caps do not look sharp at the moment and need a spark from somewhere, but with their top chance creator (Gauld) potentially out again, we anticipate it will be another long 90 minutes for them versus a Loons outfit starting to build momentum.
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Atlanta vs. NY Red Bulls (Sunday, 12.30am)
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With their MLS playoff aspirations potentially at stake, Atlanta United host the New York Red Bulls on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Five Stripes were beaten 2-1 by CF Montreal on Wednesday, putting them three points below the Eastern Conference post-season line, while the Red Bulls came away with an emphatic 4-1 triumph versus Toronto, maintaining their sixth-place standing in the East.
We say: Atlanta United 0-2 New York Red Bulls
Atlanta have not been able to use their desperation in the right way, leaving far too many gaps in behind when pushing for a goal, and we believe that will cost them this weekend against a Red Bulls unit that thrive in transition.
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Charlotte FC vs. Montreal (Sunday, 12.30am)
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With their playoff destiny back in their hands, CF Montreal travel to Bank of America Stadium on Saturday to face Charlotte FC in the second-last match of the MLS campaign for both sides.
The Crown officially locked up a post-season berth in the Eastern Conference thanks to a 4-3 win over the Chicago Fire, and Le CFM moved above the playoff line with a narrow 2-1 triumph versus Atlanta United.
We say: Charlotte FC 1-2 CF Montreal
Montreal have found another gear over the past few weeks, and we believe that desperation will carry over into this weekend against Charlotte, who may be a little comfortable knowing their place in the post-season is assured.
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Cincinnati vs. Orlando City (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Two sides who are guaranteed a spot in the playoff go head to head in the Eastern Conference as FC Cincinnati play host to Orlando City at the TQL Stadium on Saturday.
The goal for both sides, who head into the weekend in contrasting form, will now be to close out the regular season on a high and gather momentum ahead of their quest for the MLS Cup.
We say: FC Cincinnati 2-2 Orlando City
While Cincinnati have suffered a drop-off in form in the season run-in, Orlando have picked up five wins from their last six matches and will head into the weekend with sky-high confidence. However, Cincinnati's home advantage gives them a slight upper hand and we predict they will frustrate the visitors to a share of the spoils.
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Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Philadelphia Union will be looking to move into the coveted play-in places in the Eastern Conference when they visit the Lower.com Field to face a deflated Columbus Crew on Saturday.
The home side were on the receiving end of a 3-2 defeat against Inter Miami in a crunch top-of-the-table clash on Thursday morning and will head into the weekend looking to find their feet and secure their first win in four matches.
We say: Columbus Crew 2-2 Philadelphia Union
Still licking their wounds from Thursday's defeat against Inter Miami, Columbus Crew will head into the weekend looking to return to winning ways and end their three-game winless run. However, with their playoff dreams potentially hinging on this one, we predict Philadelphia Union will hold out for a share of the spoils.
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New England vs. DC United (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Two sides looking to make a late push for a playoff spot go head to head in the Eastern Conference when New England Revolution play host to DC United on Saturday.
Having lost their last five visits to the Gillette Stadium since a 1-1 stalemate in May 2019, the Black-and-Red will head into the weekend looking to get one over the hosts and move level with Toronto FC in the play-in places.
We say: New England Revolution 2-3 DC United
Given the importance of Saturday's clash in their bid for a playoff spot, we anticipate a thrilling contest at the Gillette Stadium as both sides go all out in search of maximum points. DC United picked up a morale-boosting comeback victory in midweek and we are backing them to come away with all three points against the out-of-sorts hosts.
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Kansas vs. Los Angeles (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Sporting Kansas City will be looking to avoid a fourth defeat in a row when they entertain the challenge of Los Angeles FC at the Children's Mercy Park on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the away side make the trip to Kansas this weekend on a high, having emerged victorious from each of their last three matches across all competitions.
We say: Sporting Kansas City 1-2 Los Angeles FC
Only San Jose Earthquakes have conceded more goals than Sporting Kansas City in the West, and while Los Angeles FC are not operating at full capacity in attack at the moment, we can see them coming away with the points at the end of the 90 minutes.
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St Louis City vs. Houston (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Needing a draw to guarantee their spot in the playoffs, Houston Dynamo take a trip to the CityPark to face St Louis City in their penultimate game of the MLS regular season on Saturday.
Both sides head into the weekend off the back of contrasting results, with the hosts losing against Los Angeles FC while Orange Crush picking up a hard-fought victory over New England Revolution.
We say: St Louis City 1-3 Houston Dynamo
While St Louis City will be playing for pride, Houston Dynamo set out looking to seal their spot in the playoffs and we expect them to go all out at CityPark this weekend. Olsen's men head into the weekend as the more in-form side and we are backing them to come away with the desired result.
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Colorado vs. Seattle (Sunday, 2.30am)
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The penultimate round of matches in the 2024 Major League Soccer season sees the Colorado Rapids and Seattle Sounders lock horns at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Sunday.
The hosts are on a tough run heading into this one having lost consecutive matches, while the away side currently have their sights set on picking up a third victory.
We say: Colorado Rapids 2-2 Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders are the more in-form team heading into this one, but the Colorado Rapids have been difficult to beat on home turf, so we are backing a share of the spoils with honours even in the end.
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LA Galaxy vs. Austin (Sunday, 3.30am)
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Los Angeles Galaxy will be looking to take one step closer to finishing top of the MLS Western Conference when Austin FC come visiting the Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday.
Both teams emerged victorious from their respective last outings and will be looking to pick up where they left off in this weekend's encounter.
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1 Austin FC
Los Angeles Galaxy are scoring for fun at the moment, and it is hard to see them being denied all three points here.
We fully expect the home side to cruise to a relatively routine win come the sound of the final whistle.
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Earthquakes vs. Salt Lake (Sunday, 3.30am)
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For the last time in the 2024 Major League Soccer season, San Jose Earthquakes are in action in front of their fans as they welcome Real Salt Lake to PayPal Park on Sunday.
The home side will take to the field off the back of a rare victory last time out, while their visitors had to make do with a point for the third game running.
We say: San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 Real Salt Lake
Beating Dallas would have offered the San Jose Earthquakes some cause for optimism coming into this weekend's encounter which promises to be a stern test nonetheless.
We fancy Real Salt Lake to carry the day, albeit by only a narrow margin.
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Ben Knapton
