Atlanta vs. NY City (Thursday, 12.30am)
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Atlanta United can extend their MLS unbeaten run to seven matches when they welcome New York City FC to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday.
The Five Stripes are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference, winning their previous home fixture 3-1 over DC United, while the Boys in Blue could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to the Columbus Crew this past weekend, extending their winless run to 10 matches in all competitions.
We say: Atlanta United 2-0 New York City FC
Morale is at an all-time low in New York City right now, and though there are some talented playmakers on that team, no one has stepped up and shown they can bury a clear-cut scoring opportunity.
Atlanta may be a little susceptible defensively, but they have had no trouble finding the back of the net with 11 players notching at least one MLS goal in 2023, and taking on a team as fragile as NYCFC this week, we expect them to pounce on the opportunities presented to them.
How to watch
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Cincinnati vs. Toronto (Thursday, 12.30am)
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FC Cincinnati can match the 2002 San Jose Earthquakes for the longest winning run at home in MLS when they host Toronto at TQL Stadium on Wednesday.
The Orange and Blue have won all nine of their domestic encounters at home this season and lead the Supporters' Shield standings with 40 points, more than half of the Reds' current total (19), despite the Canadians going unbeaten in four straight matches, playing to a 1-1 draw versus Nashville SC the last time out.
We say: FC Cincinnati 2-0 Toronto
The Reds are still figuring out how to win tight matches, something the Orange and Blue have perfected, and the overall depth and form of Cincy should enable them to maintain its 100% record on home soil.
How to watch
You can watch FC Cincinnati vs. Toronto and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Montreal vs. Nashville (Thursday, 12.30am)
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CF Montreal can stretch their winning run at Saputo Stadium to eight matches in all competitions when they host Nashville SC in MLS action on Wednesday.
Le CFM have been dominant on home soil, coming away with a 4-0 triumph in their previous encounter versus Minnesota United, while the Boys in Gold remain second in the Eastern Conference following a 3-1 home victory against St Louis City last Saturday.
We say: CF Montreal 0-1 Nashville SC
Montreal's form at home may be a little deceiving, as all of their victories this year at Saputo Stadium have come against lower-tiered teams or MLS sides currently outside of the playoff picture, as they have beaten up on teams with poor defensive records.
The Boys in Gold, meanwhile, have been nearly impossible to get through most of the year, while their star player has looked unstoppable in recent matches, which is why we are tipping Nashville to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games.
How to watch
You can watch CF Montreal vs. Nashville SC and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
NY Red Bulls vs. Charlotte FC (Thursday, 12.30am)
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Two MLS teams struggling in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference do battle at the Red Bull Arena on Thursday as New York Red Bulls play host to Charlotte FC.
While the hosts have won only two of their last six matches in all competitions, the visitors have come out on top in just one of their last six games during the same period.
We say: New York Red Bulls 2-2 Charlotte FC
Both New York Red Bulls and Charlotte will be desperate to return to winning was and boost their chances of securing at least a top-seven finish in the Eastern Conference, but with little to separate these two teams, a score draw could be on the cards at the Red Bull Arena.
How to watch
You can watch New York Red Bulls vs. Charlotte FC and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Orlando City vs. Philadelphia (Thursday, 12.30am)
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Orlando City welcome Philadelphia Union to the Exploria Stadium in Florida for an MLS Eastern Conference encounter on Thursday.
The two teams saw their six-game unbeaten runs brought to an end last time out, with Orlando losing at New England Resolution and Philadelphia suffering defeat against San Jose Earthquakes.
We say: Orlando City 2-2 Philadelphia Union
Both teams have had no issues finding the net in recent weeks, scoring in each of their last five matches, and plenty of goalmouth action could once again be on the cards at the Exploria Stadium.
Orlando's recent unbeaten run on home soil bodes well ahead of Thursday's clash, and considering the visitors have a number of absentees, we believe the host will do enough claim at least a point.
How to watch
You can watch Orlando City vs. Philadelphia Union and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Austin vs. Dallas (Thursday, 1.30am)
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Major League Soccer dishes up an intriguing Texas derby on Wednesday as struggling Austin FC host rivals FC Dallas at Q2 Stadium.
Following a thrashing at the hands of Sporting Kansas City, Austin find themselves third from bottom in the Western Conference â seven points behind fifth-placed Dallas.
We say: Austin FC 1-1 Dallas
Given that Austin and Dallas have both lost three of their last four matches, Wednesday's showdown will likely be a close-fought battle between two sides desperate to avoid defeat.
With that in mind, we expect the Texas rivals to play out a tense and cagey draw at Q2 Stadium, sharing the spoils while ending their respective losing runs.
How to watch
You can watch Austin FC vs. Dallas and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Houston vs. Earthquakes (Thursday, 1.30am)
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Houston Dynamo will be looking to claim their third successive MLS victory in the Western Conference when they play host to San Jose Earthquakes at the Shell Energy Stadium on Thursday.
The visitors, meanwhile, are seeking to extend their unbeaten run to six matches and could climb to the top of the table with a win in Texas.
We say: Houston Dynamo 1-0 San Jose Earthquakes
Both Houston and San Jose have shown their defensive resilience in recent weeks, conceding just four goals across the last seven fixtures combined, and a tight affair between two evenly-matched teams could be in store on Thursday.
However, Houston seem to have the edge in the final third at present, and we believe the hosts will come out on top with a narrow victory.
How to watch
You can watch Houston Dynamo vs. San Jose Earthquakes and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
St Louis City vs. Salt Lake (Thursday, 1.30am)
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Major League Soccer newcomers St Louis City will aim to maintain their shock lead at the Western Conference summit when they welcome Real Salt Lake to CityPark on Wednesday.
Bradley Carnell's boys are enjoying a hugely impressive maiden campaign in MLS, but in-form RSL will be hopeful of spoiling the party when they visit Missouri.
We say: St Louis City 3-1 Real Salt Lake
While high-flying St Louis City boast the best offensive record in the West, Real Salt Lake possess the worst defensive record, so we expect the conference leaders to return to winning ways with a high-scoring victory on home soil.
How to watch
You can watch St Louis City vs. Real Salt Lake and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Colorado vs. Vancouver (Thursday, 2.30am)
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The only winless side at home in the 2023 MLS campaign will take on one of the three teams without a road victory this year as the Colorado Rapids welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps to Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Wednesday.
Heading into this contest, the Burgundy Boys are without a victory in eight consecutive matches in all competitions, losing 2-0 at Orlando City the last time out, while Vancouver have come back to earn a result in back-to-back league fixtures, drawing FC Cincinnati 1-1 in their previous encounter.
We say: Colorado Rapids 0-0 Vancouver Whitecaps
The altitude in Colorado is one of the most physically demanding environments to play in, and we expect chances to be at a minimum for these sides missing some key playmakers due to the international window, while those conditions could take a toll on a Vancouver side that do most of their damage in transition.
How to watch
You can watch Colorado Rapids vs. Vancouver Whitecaps and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
LA Galaxy vs. Kansas (Thursday, 3.30am)
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Los Angeles Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City will both be aiming to make up ground on the play-off spots when they face each other in the MLS on Thursday.
LA Galaxy find themselves eight points adrift after making a dismal start to the campaign, while Kansas lie only one point outside of the Western Conference's qualification positions.
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 Sporting Kansas City
LA Galaxy appear to have rediscovered some form in recent weeks, although the long-term injury of Hernandez will undoubtedly make them blunter between now and the end of the season.
With both teams sitting outside of the play-off spots, this should be a fiercely contested encounter, but we expect the hosts to marginally get themselves over the line.
How to watch
You can watch Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Los Angeles vs. Seattle (Thursday, 3.30am)
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Los Angeles FC and Seattle Sounders will be vying to move top of the Western Conference in the MLS on Thursday.
Los Angeles are only behind St Louis City on goal difference, while Seattle are a point behind the top two teams ahead of their trip to California.
We say: Los Angeles FC 2-1 Seattle Sounders
With this match representing second versus third in the Western Conference table, this should be a highly entertaining affair between two teams trending in the right direction.
However, the MLS holders clearly possess a little more individual quality, and we expect them to record back-to-back victories after their dramatic late winner at the weekend.
How to watch
You can watch Los Angeles FC vs. Seattle Sounders and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Portland vs. Chicago Fire (Thursday, 3.30am)
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The Portland Timbers will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak to four games when lowly Chicago Fire visit Providence Park on Wednesday.
The hosts played out a goalless draw with the San Jose Earthquakes last time out, while the visitors suffered a 2-1 defeat against the Columbus Crew.
We say: Portland Timbers 2-0 Chicago Fire
Having avoided defeat in each of their previous three matches â keeping three clean sheets in the process â the Timbers are expected to make light work of Chicago, who have failed to win any of their last six league outings.
How to watch
You can watch Portland Timbers vs. Chicago Fire and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Ben Knapton
