MLS Picks: Predictions, Best Bets & Analysis for this Weekend's Action

Following on from some incredible results during the week, action carries on this weekend for the final set of fixtures before another installment of the Leagues Cup.

Once again, here are our MLS picks for the weekend.

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New York City (+290) at Philadelphia Union (-120) 

Just over five weeks since a 3-1 win at New York City, Philadelphia is likely to ease to another win against it this weekend.

Since then, Philadelphia has managed to beat Charlotte, Montreal, Inter Miami and Nashville, while New York has beat only Montreal.

Daniel Gazdag also scored twice that day for the Union, and he now has nine goals this season from 20 games.

D.C. United (+240) at New England Revolution (+100) 

New England Revolution has moved back into second in the Eastern Conference after a 2-1 win over Atlanta United. It has also already won at D.C. United this season by the same scoreline, as Gustavo Bou netted another goal.

We think it should be another routine win for the Revs with D.C. winning just two of the last five games.

Charlotte (+220) at Montreal (+105) 

Two of the most inconsistent teams in MLS this season meet here, as Charlotte and Montreal come into the match having only won consecutive games once each.

In fact, Monreal has now lost three in a row after defeats to New York, Atlanta and Chicago. Charlotte is also winless in the last seven games and has tied in the past five matches.

We think another tie is in order here.

Nashville (+300) at Cincinnati (-115) 

It's the biggest game of the Eastern Conference season when third meet with first place in Ohio. Currently, Cincinnati is 10 points above Nashville in the table, and a win here would be its biggest step toward the Supporters' Shield trophy so far.

Nashville has slipped away in recent weeks, losing to Montreal, Columbus Crew, Chicago and Philadelphia in the past five games, beating only D.C.

This week, Cincinnati won at New York Red Bulls, but it is facing the best defense in the league this weekend. With this in mind, we expect a low-scoring win.

Orlando City (+230) at Atlanta United (+100) 

After a 1-1 tie between Orlando City and Atlanta United back in May, not much has really changed. Both still struggle to win games on a consistent basis, and the two teams are right next to one another in the table and separated by one point.

With 41 goals scored and 37 let in, Atlanta is one point above Orlando. However, given how close things are between the two, we think another tie happens here.

Los Angeles (+150) at Minnesota United (+150) 

Los Angeles has rocketed itself back into second place in the Western Conference after registering its best win of the season when it defeated first-placed St. Louis City 3-0.

Carlos Vela scored once more that day and although Minnesota United achieved one of the shocks of the season by winning 3-0 at Houston Dynamo, we don’t expect this form to continue.

The Loons still sit down in 10th in the Western Conference, and in all seven of their wins this year, only once have they won the following game.

Toronto (+390) at Chicago Fire (-160) 

Another week has passed which also means another week has gone by where Toronto has failed to win a game. It's now been eight matches since it beat D.C. back at the end of May and it sits with only three victories this year and 10 losses.

During this period, Chicago has gradually moved up the league table and reignited its playoff hopes after winning four of the past five games by defeating Sporting Kansas City, Portland Timbers, Nashville and Montreal.

It has also let in just two goals in the past five games.

Inter Miami (+450) at St. Louis City (-200) 

Last place in the Eastern Conference takes on first place from the Western table, and with Lionel Messi not set to make his debut until next week, we fail to see how Inter Miami has any chance of beating St. Louis.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will, however, be unveiled this weekend during halftime of the Gold Cup final between Panama and Mexico.

Houston Dynamo (+210) at Colorado Rapids (+110) 

For just the second time this year, Houston lost at home when it was defeated 3-0 by Minnesota on Wednesday. 

It will still have a chance of beating Colorado Rapids, as it sits in last place of the Western Conference with just 16 goals scored from 22 games - no side has scored fewer goals.

Houston has been poor away from home, however, so we expect a low-scoring match in what is a tough one to call.

New York Red Bulls (+270) at Real Salt Lake (-115) 

Real Salt Lake extended its unbeaten run to nine games after a 2-2 tie at Kansas, meaning it is the only MLS side to avoid a loss in the past six weeks.

At home and against a New York Red Bulls team that has won only one game away from the Red Bull Arena this season, we expect another win for Salt Lake.

Sporting Kansas City (+200) at Austin (+110) 

It's a tough game to call when Austin and Kansas meet, as both have scored exactly 30 goals, while Kansas has conceded four more with 34.

The two teams continue to struggle to win consecutive games, and after a 2-1 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps just one week on from winning 4-1 at Minnesota, we fail to see how it wins here.

Kansas tied with Salt Lake last time out, and we think it ties this one too.

Columbus Crew (+200) at Portland Timbers (+110) 

Portland has scored only 23 goals this year, and with only five wins so far, only those in the bottom four of the overall table have won fewer matches.

At the same time, Columbus Crew has scored at least one goal in its last 13 MLS games, and it has now scored the most goals in MLS with 43 from 22 outings.

We expect the Crew to upset the odds in this one.

LA Galaxy (+300) at Vancouver Whitecaps (-140) 

After a fantastic 3-1 win against Philadelphia, LA Galaxy has now avoided a defeat in the past six MLS games. Nevertheless, it has only won one game outside of Los Angeles this MLS season.

Vancouver is perhaps the most inconsistent team this year, however, as it has won seven games, lost seven matches and registered a tie in the other seven fixtures.

With this in mind, the Galaxy should at least score.

Dallas (+420) at Seattle Sounders (-160)

After a terrible run of form, this should be an easy win for Seattle Sounders.

It has still only lost two games on its home field this year, while Dallas has one of the worst away records in MLS right now. 

We expect a comfortable win for the Sounders.