SOCCER FOOTBALL 24H

Toronto's last laugh Toronto FC v Atlanta United Sunday, 20:30 So it's  Decision Day in MLS , although for the third season in succession, there's not a great deal to decide. There'll be jockeying for play-off position, two play-off places up for grabs, and also  a Supporters Shield to be won . With the New York Red Bulls very likely to beat Orlando in New Jersey, Atlanta United know that they have to go to Toronto and get a victory to be sure of winning the Supporters Shield and establishing themselves as  the new points record holders for a single MLS season . Atlanta, though, have been fading in recent weeks, at just the wrong point of the season, and I think that they're vulnerable as the  defending MLS Cup champions  say goodbye to a terrible 2018 season. Toronto will be fired up for this, to prove that they can be relevant one final time, and with Atlanta stuttering against a poor Chicago side last week, and prone to nerves, I think that Gerar...

Exciting Canuck Derby Toronto FC v Vancouver Whitecaps Saturday, 22:00 Live on Sky Sports Football Toronto discovered some of their old  swagger  last week as they comfortably beat the New England Revolution, and now they know that  they have to win their last four games of the season  to have any chance of reaching the play offs. Their chances are slim, although the fact that one of those remaining games is against the team they're trying to catch, Montreal, gives them an opportunity. First, though, they have to deal with  the third Canadian team in MLS  in the shape of the Vancouver Whitecaps. Many saw the 'Caps decision to part ways with their manager Carl Robinson last week as a surprise, but those in charge could see post season hopes fading after two home defeats and made a brave call. Interim Coach Craig Dalrymple now has the job of trying to guide them to the play offs. He didn't make much impact last week, as his team went down 3-0 at ...

Dave Farrar predicts Sporting KC will take San Jose, the Seattle Sounders get victory in Vancouver and non-stop goals in Toronto... Can't stop SKC San Jose Earthquakes v Sporting KC Sunday, 03:30 A Sporting KC team who are chasing a Western Conference win and a San Jose side whose post season dreams have been over for some time. The 'Quakes have been largely dreadful this season, with the odd spectacular result failing to make up for plenty of disappointing ones, and it will be hard for them to stay motivated as they head towards the end of October. In contrast, Peter Vermes' Sporting KC are a really good side, and  an outsider to lift MLS Cup this year . After a mid-season slump, they've now  won five of their last six , and are excellent away from home. They've kept clean sheets in all of those five wins, and have won four of their last five against San Jose. So both logic and all of the trends point to SKC being strong favourites here, and  I...

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 w...

Vancouver Whitecaps v Minnesota Utd Sunday 03:00 Kev signed off last night with a win - and absolutely no style - as Wexford's goalless draw with Drogheda comfortably  landed his BTTS bet . He's off on holiday now, which means the column's ours 'til next Sunday. Where to start?  Canada , we reckon. Vancouver Whitecaps have delivered Over 3.5 Goals in 5/6 appearances at  BC Place  and we like the price on them making it 6/7 overnight tonight.  Carl Robinson's  men have scored at least twice themselves in 5/6, while conceding at least twice in 5/6. Adrian Heath's  Minnesota bring some big numbers with them too. Since the ex-Everton man took charge, United have served up Over 3.5 Goals in more than half of their away games (14/26). They've conceded at least  three  times on 7/9 road trips this season. With two  leaky defences  going head to head, we're bracing for a deluge of goals. RECOMMENDED BETS Back Over 3.5 Goals @...

Dave Farrar predicts away victories for New York City FC, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC. NYCFC ride the wave NYCFC v Columbus Crew Sunday, 00:00 It's been a busy week for NYCFC as they prepare for their third game in seven days, but Dome Torrent's team are on the crest of a wave, and they're set fair to make it  nine points from nine  as they host an out of form Columbus Crew. Should NYCFC win at Yankee Stadium this time, they'll keep up the pressure on Atlanta United, and possibly end the weekend level on points with them. Dome Torrent's men are still  big Supporters Shield contenders , and we can now definitely say that they've coped with the departure of Patrick Vieira. I was impressed with the way that NYCFC dug deep to beat the New York Red Bulls last weekend in a game that they didn't really have the right to win, and their task should be easier here against a Crew team who've started to puff and blow a bit, especially away from ho...