2023 MLS All-Star Game: Arsenal favored but better bet is goals scored

The MLS All-Star Game is Wednesday, featuring the MLS’ best teaming up take on English Premier League giant Arsenal at DC United’s Audi Field

The match will represent the second of a five-game preseason tune-up and the first of three straight in the U.S. for Arsenal, which finished the 2022-23 EPL season in second place.

Arsenal is a large favorite with -280 odds at FanDuel to defeat the MLS All-Stars. But past All-Star Games suggest there may be a better bet — and no, it’s not the MLS side at +500 odds.

It’s the -108 odds on under 3.5 goals for the game.

Eight straight all-star games since 2014 have finished with fewer than four goals, including two against EPL teams and a 2-1 loss to Arsenal in 2016. And though the MLS didn’t always come out on top, compiling a 4-4 record in those games, it did keep things incredibly tight. All but one of the games in that span finished within a single goal — three were won on PKs.

If those trends continue Wednesday, you can count on a low-scoring contest and a score of around 2-1 in favor of Arsenal at +700 odds.