MLS Betting: Seattle going for seventh straight win, Rooney arrives in the Big Apple

Seventh Heaven for Seattle

Portland Timbers v Seattle Sounders
Monday, 02:30

The Seattle Sounders are probably the only team in MLS who are currently in better form than DC United, and their club record sixth successive win was completed in considerable style against the LA Galaxy last week.

The Sounders now head to their big rivals Portland, who have lost three in a row and must be looking nervously over their shoulders, given that the Timbers are currently in the final play off place, and the Sounders are right behind them, and would jump into sixth with a victory here.

I like to follow form, and so I'm happy to support Seattle to get a win at what will be a heated Providence Park. Their recent run has been built around the form of Nico Lodeiro and Cristian Roldan, with new signing Raul Ruidiaz also playing a useful hand.

That has galvanised some of Seattle's more low level players, with the likes of Harry Shipp outstanding in recent weeks, and I like their chances of getting to the play offs and making some noise when they arrive there.

Portland look tired, are conceding too many goals, and were comprehensively schooled by Sporting KC last week. Giovanni Savarese will be confident that he can turn things around, but the arrival of an in form Seattle is something of a nightmare for the Timbers. I'll take Seattle to make it seven in a row.

Rocky Mountain rivalry

Colorado v Real Salt Lake
Sunday, 02:00

The Colorado Rapids did the trick for us a couple of weeks ago when they earned a clutch win against the San Jose Earthquakes and they're team to trust again this weekend when Real Salt Lake are in town.

The arrival of Kellyn Acosta has made a big difference to the Rapids and they've shown a marked improvement since his surprise recruitment. They were unfortunate to lose 2-0 at LAFC last weekend after putting up a game display, and back at home they should have too much for an RSL team who scored twice in stoppage time to beat Houston last week.

Mike Petke's RSL sit fourth in the Western Conference, but haven't been playing particularly well of late. That win against Houston means that they've won just two of their last seven games (the other being against a poor Chicago team).

For all that Colorado are out of the play off picture, they have now produced really solid displays for five games in a row, and Anthony Hudson finally seems to be making something happen.

If you believe, as I do, that it's not about where they are in the table, but how they're playing at any given time, then Colorado look a good bet this weekend, as the Rocky Mountain Cup rivalry resumes.

Rooney marches on New York

New York Red Bulls v DC United
Monday, 00:00
Live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event

DC United are one of the form teams in MLS (a sentence that I didn't think I'd be writing this season) and they take their electric run to the New York Red Bulls.

The arrival of Wayne Rooney has galvanised DCU and the likes of Luciano Acosta have responded to his presence and shown their best form of the season. Rooney has made those around him look like better players and the decision to sign him suddenly looks an excellent one.

Before we get too carried away with the idea of DC mounting a Seattle style late season charge to the MLS Cup, we should remember that they have won four of their last five, but all four of those wins have come at home. They haven't recorded an away victory since their success in San Jose on the 19th May.

I have to admit that I'm tempted by the 5.30 that's available about DC United, but the New York Red Bulls are a very strong side, and look like the kind of team to dish out a reality check.

I do think that there'll be goals, though, as Ben Olsen has been playing a very open style since the arrival of Rooney, and he will fancy getting something at a team that has a midweek derby draw to recover from. DC United will go for it, and I think that they'll score at least once, but they might find the Red Bulls too strong.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Back Seattle Sounders to beat Portland Timbers @ 3.80 

Back Colorado Rapids to beat Real Salt Lake @ 2.30

Over 3.5 Goals in NYRB v DC United @ 2.20