MLS Picks: Betting Advice and Analysis for Week 18

Just days after the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup, we’re back with our MLS betting picks for Week 18.

We look at how the MLS betting sites have set the odds and make our picks.

D.C. United (+320) at Atlanta United (-145)

D.C. United and Atlanta United are separated by just two points in the Eastern Conference with both teams winning six games each.

This game is at Atlanta, however, with the Five Stripes coming into this match as the second-highest scorers in MLS and off the back of a shutout tie at Los Angeles FC.

D.C. has scored at least one goal in its past eight games and both teams should bag another in this one, and Atlanta’s Giorgos Giakoumakis has also scored nine goals in 13 MLS games too.

Giorgos Giakoumakis to score anytime prop bet, Atlanta to win and both teams to score is +410 with Unibet.

Minnesota United (+230) at Montreal (+105) 

Minnesota United has scored just 15 goals in MLS this year and this means only those in the bottom two of the Western Conference table have scored fewer. The Loons are still in eighth, however, because only those in the top three spots in the Western table have better defensive records.

Montreal also lost once again in midweek, this time in the Canadian Championship final to Vancouver Whitecaps.

Montreal has also conceded 27 goals in the Eastern Conference and only Charlotte and Atlanta have let in less goals.

We think this points to a Minnesota win. 

Minnesota to win and under 2.5 goals is +356 with BetMGM Sportsbook.

Seattle Sounders (+175) at Charlotte (+135) 

Seattle Sounders is back to within one point of first-placed St. Louis City after a tie with Portland Timbers. This does, however, mean it has now scored just two goals in its past five games and won only one of those.

After such a great start to 2023, Seattle has slowed down significantly. Charlotte has still conceded the most goals in MLS (30) and we can’t see it making a shutout in this one.

Seattle Sounders to win or tie and under 2.5 goals is +144 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Inter Miami (+500) at New England Revolution (-210) 

After announcing the signing of the legendary Lionel Messi, Inter Miami is at New England Revolution.

Sadly for Miami fans, Messi won’t be in action for a few weeks and it is likely to continue to struggle during this time.

New England is fourth in the table, and with Miami losing 11 times already, we see only one winner.

New England Revolution to win 2-0 is +750 with Caesars Sportsbook.

Nashville (+165) at Toronto (+150) 

Another week passes with another impressive Nashville win as it claimed all three points at Dallas. Hany Mukhtar also scored once more for it to make it 10 goals and six assists in what is turning out to be yet another incredible season for the German.

Toronto has still won the fewest games in the Eastern Conference with just three victories in 16 games. 

Even though it is favored by the sportsbooks, it's been too bad to pick against the best defense in MLS.

Nashville to win and Hany Mukhtar to score anytime is +165 with DraftKings Sportsbook.

Colorado Rapids (+230) at Orlando City (-125) 

After a tie with San Jose Earthquakes, Colorado Rapids has still won just two MLS games in 2023. Its last victory was at LA Galaxy six games ago, and Orlando City has lost to only Montreal during this time and has won at Miami and New York Red Bulls.

This one is an easy pick.

Orlando City to win by exactly 2 goals is +490 with DraftKings Sportsbook.

Columbus Crew (+170) at Chicago Fire (+135) 

Columbus Crew is now the highest-scoring MLS team this year after beating Charlotte 4-2. Cucho Hernandez also scored again that game, and at a Chicago team that has conceded 25 goals, the Crew should keep on winning.

The Fire has also won the fewest games in the Eastern Conference with three.

Columbus to win and Cucho Hernandez to score anytime is +437 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Los Angeles FC (+120) at Houston Dynamo (+185) 

Los Angeles is the only away team this gameweek that is the favorite to win its game. It is at Houston Dynamo this weekend, and it won’t be an easy game.

Houston has let in just three goals at home this season and all five of its wins have been in Houston. What’s more, it won 4-1 at Chicago Fire in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday.

LAFC is more than good enough to win, but it’s likely a low-scoring one.

Los Angeles to win and under 2.5 goals is +438 with BetMGM Sportsbook.

Austin (+270) at Sporting Kansas City (-115) 

It's four wins now for Sporting Kansas City after failing to win a game in the first nine matches. It tied with Vancouver Whitecaps a week on from the Canadian side scoring six against Houston Dynamo. What’s more, Kansas has now lost to only St. Louis City in the past six games and even tied at Los Angeles.

Austin lost again at home to Real Salt Lake last weekend and has now scored just 17 MLS goals.

Kansas City to win and under 2.5 goals is +381 with Unibet Sportsbook.

New York City (+210) at Real Salt Lake (+110) 

The struggles of New York City continued last time out with a 0-0 tie against New England meaning it has now failed to get a win in its past eight games. 

It leaves New York with just four MLS wins this season and down in 13th in the Eastern Conference.

Real Salt Lake has still conceded 30 goals in just 16 games, making it the worst defensive side in the Western Conference while it has made just two shutouts in these matches too.

Real Salt Lake to win and both teams to score is +400 with DraftKing Sportsbook.

Cincinnati (+230) at Vancouver Whitecaps (-105) 

Despite losing just one game all year and being in first place of the overall table, Cincinnati is an underdog at Vancouver.

Vancouver did defeat Houston 6-2 last week and beat Montreal in the Canadian Championship final in midweek, so it won’t be an easy game for Cincinnati.

Nevertheless, only St. Louis has beaten it this year, so we don’t think it will lose.

Cincinnati to win or tie is -135 with BetMGM Sportsbook. 

Philadelphia Union (+185) at San Jose Earthquakes (+125) 

It's a tough game to call with third place in the Eastern Conference at fifth place in the Western table.

Philadelphia Union has, however, not lost in nine MLS games and won seven of those matches. It makes it the most in-form team in the Eastern Conference alongside Cincinnati and it should at least score at San Jose Earthquakes.

The Quakes have also scored 19 and conceded 19 goals and won just one its past five games.

Julian Carranza also scored twice for the Union in the 3-0 win against Montreal last time out.

Julian Carranza to score first is +600 with Unibet Sportsbook.

LA Galaxy (+230) at St. Louis City (-110) 

Bottom is at top this weekend in MLS and it makes this game the easiest one to call.

St. Louis City has scored the most goals in MLS this year with 32, while LA Galaxy has scored only 13 and we expect a routine win for the Western Conference leaders.

St. Louis City to win 2-0 is +1000 with Caesars Sportsbook.

Dallas (+240) at Portland Timbers (+100)

Dallas is up into fourth place in the Western Conference after a fantastic 2-0 win at home to St. Louis on Wednesday.

It is now at Portland Timbers on Sunday and the Timbers have won just one game in the past six while conceding 10 goals in that time.

Jesus Ferreira also scored his 10th MLS goal of the season to take him to 28 since the start of the 2022 season.

Jesus Ferreira to score anytime and Dallas to win is +483 with DraftKings Sportsbook .