MLS Matchday 28 Predictions: MLS Betting Tips & Best Bets for 08/26

MLS Matchday 28 Predictions, Odds & MLS Picks for August 26th:

• ⭐ Messi to score first against NY Red Bulls (+280) at DraftKings
• ⭐ Nashville to beat Atlanta United (+235) at Caesars
• ⭐ C. Vela to score anytime against Charlotte (+135) with FanDuel
• ⭐ D.C. United vs. Philadelphia: TIE at HT & Union to win at FT (+450) at BetMGM
• ⭐ Cincinnati to beat New York City & BTTS (+240) at bet365

Just over a week on from Inter Miami’s stunning triumph at the Leagues Cup and a semi-finals battle in the U.S. Open Cup on Thursday, MLS returns in full capacity this weekend, and we have rounded up our MLS picks from the best online betting sites.

There were nine games this past week in MLS, including a nine-goal thriller between St. Louis and Austin and an upset at the top of the Eastern Conference as Cincinnati lost at Columbus Crew.

This weekend will also be the first MLS game for Lionel Messi, as he shone in the Leagues Cup and put on another mesmerizing display in the Open Cup against Cincinnati. 

So, join us for our MLS predictions today as we put together the MLS best bets for you.

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New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami Predictions, MLS Odds & Tips

⭐ MLS Best Bets #1: Messi to score first (+280) at DraftKings

Eight games into the career of Messi at Miami and we've already seen 10 goals and three assists, including a stunning cross from distance to Leonardo Campana deep into injury time to force extra time against Cincinnati in the Open Cup.

Messi has now led his side to a Leagues Cup triumph and pushed his team into the final of the Open Cup too, but in what will be his first MLS game, the World Cup winner sees Miami bottom of the Eastern Conference.

A couple of weeks back, our MLS predictions today for this game would have chosen the New York Red Bulls. However, the Red Bulls have scored just 23 goals in MLS, had a terrible Leagues Cup and won only seven of their 24 matches in MLS and now face Messi.

Miami are different now under the guidance of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, so our MLS picks choose Messi to score once again and Miami to win.

Suggested MLS Picks for NY Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami:

• ⭐ Inter Miami to win (+160) at DraftKings
• ⭐ Over 2.5 goals (-140) at DraftKings
• ⭐ Lionel Messi to score anytime (-135) at DraftKings

Atlanta United vs. Nashville Predictions, MLS Odds & Tips

⭐MLS Best Bets #2: Nashville to win (+235) at Caesars

What a game we have in store here, as sixth is at seventh place in the Eastern Conference when Nashville takes on Atlanta United. Both these teams are expected to get into the playoffs this year, but we're picking Nashville for our MLS picks.

The MLS odds favor Atlanta to win, but it struggled at the Leagues Cup by letting in nine goals in four games and scoring only three.

What's more, Nashville made it all the way to the final and was only defeated by Miami through a penalty shootout loss, as it scored 16 goals in seven games. As well as this, Nashville is the best defensive team in MLS this year by a healthy margin, as it has let in only 22 goals - the closest to this in the Eastern Conference is Philadelphia Union's tally of 26.  

Atlanta has still managed to win two MLS games in a row - albeit many weeks apart - and scored at least one goal in its past five matches. 

Suggested MLS Picks for Atlanta Utd vs. Nashville:

• ⭐ Four total match goals (+450) at Caesars
• ⭐ Over 2.5 goals (-125) at Caesars
• ⭐ Both teams to score (-145) at Caesars

Charlotte vs. LAFC Predictions, MLS Odds & Tips

MLS Best Bets #3:  Carlos Vela to score anytime (+135) with FanDuel

The MLS Cup champions of last year are back in action for the second time this week as Los Angeles heads to Charlotte. This was the extra game in hand to play for the MLS Cup winners, so they are now level on games played with almost everyone else and trail St. Louis City at the top of the Western Conference by four points.

Once again, however, LAFC has been incredible this season, as has its main man, Carlos Vela. He scored once again during the week in the 4-0 victory over Colorado Rapids to put him on 11 for the season and 92 in total from 171 games with the Black and Gold.

Vela could end up having a field day against Charlotte, as it is also the worst defensive team in MLS this year with a stunning 40 goals let in from just 23 games.

What’s more, LAFC usually comes out firing too, scoring eight goals in the first half alone within the past five games, and after scoring four during the week, our MLS predictions today pick another battering.

Suggested MLS Picks for Atlanta Utd vs. Nashville:

• ⭐ ​​Los Angeles to win 3-0 (+2400) at FanDuel
• ⭐ Over 2.5 goals (-134) at FanDuel
• ⭐ LAFC to win at half time (+185) at FanDuel

D.C. United vs. Philadelphia Union Predictions, Odds & Tips

⭐ MLS Best Bets #4: D.C. United vs. Philadelphia: TIE at HT & Union to win at FT (+450) at BetMGM

D.C. United and Philadelphia are separated by 10 points in the Eastern Conference with the Union winning four more games and letting in nine fewer goals. Last season’s Eastern Conference winners are also the second-best defensive team in the division and have made 13 shutouts this season - only Nashville has more.

D.C. has also seen under 2.5 goals come in during three of its past five games, so the MLS odds at BetMGM for this game to see under 2.5 goals are the lowest across all the 14 matches this weekend.

What ultimately points us to a low-scoring match is how these two have met twice already this year and registered dull 0-0 ties in both games.

However, the Union has been in much better form this year and finished third at the Leagues Cup, so it should end the 90 minutes with a narrow win.

Suggested MLS Picks for Atlanta Utd vs. Nashville:

• ⭐ Under 2.5 goals (-114) at BetMGM
• ⭐ A tie or Philadelphia to win (-160) at BetMGM

Cincinnati vs. New York City Predictions, Odds & Tips

⭐ MLS Best Bets #5: Cincinnati to beat New York City & BTTS (+240) at bet365

Cincinnati’s magical run in 2023 has taken an enormous hit this past week, but it is still leading our MLS picks this weekend as it remains seven points clear at the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings.

The league leaders were knocked out of the semi-finals of the Open Cup by the relentless Miami and Cincinnati was also defeated by Columbus on its MLS return on Monday.

This game will now mark the third match within seven days for the MLS Cup favorites, and it has already conceded six goals during this period, so the MLS odds for plenty of goals are quite low.

However, a swift return to the win column is expected, as it has not lost three games in a row in 2023 and sits 25 points clear of a New York City team that has won only five games and lost nine of its 25 matches.

On the other hand, based on form this week, New York probably gets at least a goal. Brandon Vazquez has also scored 12 goals in 26 games this year, including one against Miami during the week.

Suggested MLS Betting Tips:

• ⭐ Brandon Vazquez to score anytime (+130) at bet365
• ⭐ Cincinnati to win at half time and full time (+175) at bet365
• ⭐ Over 2.5 goals (-138) at bet365

⭐ CLICK HERE to bet on the MLS Matchday 28! ⭐ 

As we look forward to the thrilling MLS matchups today, there's another exciting development on the horizon for sports betting enthusiasts. Come this September, Kentucky will be launching online sports betting, paving the way for the emergence of new sports betting apps Kentucky. This opens up a new realm of opportunities for fans and bettors alike. Stay tuned for more updates on this front.