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MLS Picks, Odds and Best Bets for Thursday, July 16

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read
Editor's Note: Don't miss out on Winning Soccer Daily Picks from Joe Williams in 2020 across all competitions. Click to win! 

After a bit of a slow start offensively, which was to be expected after a long layoff, teams are starting to find the back of the net more frequently at the MLS is Back Tournament at the Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World outside of Orlando, Fla. Teams are finding their sea legs, and suddenly no lead is safe and it will take multiple goals, perhaps even three or four, to safely feel like you're in the clear.

Tuesday's late-night battle between Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami CF was a fantastic match, with the Doopers coming out on top with a 2-1 victory. Miami made it interesting, but Kacper Przybylko was having none of it from the upstarts. He bagged what turned out to be the decisive goal in the second half, and he nearly had a breakaway insurance goal late. Andres Reyes of Inter pulled down Przybylko on a breakaway late, getting sent off for a second yellow card. For bettors who had a flat line of three, they ended up pushing when it easily could've went over, but for those who had over 2.5 goals, it wasn't a problem at their shop. With the win, Philly advances to the 16-team knockout stage.

It isn't hockey, but whenever Toronto FC and Montreal Impact hook up it is sure to draw plenty of eyes north of the border. They'll square off in the 8 p.m. ET game, and you'll have to keep a close eye on Toronto and their COVID-19 tests. They had their match against DC United pushed back a day, before finally being green-lighted to play. It was their third postponement since arriving at the bubble. Columbus-New York Red Bulls will be the late-night contest at 10:30 p.m. ET, and it will be interesting to see if the Crew can continue their offensive ways.

Atlanta United and FC Cincinnati will have to set the alarm clocks, as they're on for the 9 a.m. ET match. We'll touch on that game briefly, and you can catch it on ESPN.

For bettors keeping track of the totals, the ‘over’ is 8-6-1 through Wednesday's games, while favorites are 10-2 with three draws.

MLS is Back Tournament Betting Results
Wager Favorites-Underdogs-Draws
Straight Up 10-2-3
Total (Over-Under) Results
Game 8-6-1
First-Half 6-9
Both teams to Score
Yes or No 9-6

MLS is Back Tournament
Thursday's Best Bets

Atlanta United FC vs. FC Cincinnati

Date: Thursday, July 16
Time: 9:00 a.m. ET
TV: ESPN/ESPN Deportes

MLS Betting Odds
Atlanta United (-220)
FC Cincinnati (+480)
Draw (+340)

MLS - Money-Line Pick

Atlanta (-1, +145)

You can choose to just bet the moneyline, taking the favorites, but that's a rather steep proposition. There is very little sense risking more than two times your potential return on the ML. Lay the goal with United against a Cincinnati side which was dusted 4-0 in the first match of their tournament against Buckeye state rival Columbus.

MLS Over-Under Pick

Over 2.5 goals (-142)

The boys from the 'Nati were tattooed in their opening match, falling 4-0 to Columbus. However, United was dumped 1-0 in their opener against the New York Red Bulls, and really are lacking offensive punch with Josef Martinez, their star striker, on the mend with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Still, Franco Escobar, Brooks Lennon and Gonzalo Martinez are more than capable of providing some fireworks.

Cash the Over 2.5 at FanDuel!

Prediction

Atlanta United 3, FC Cincinnati 1

Bet the Draw (+250) at FanDuel!

Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC

Date: Thursday, July 16
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: TUDN

MLS Betting Odds
Montreal Impact (+220)
Toronto FC (+100)
Draw (+260)

MLS - Money-Line Pick

Toronto FC (+100)

Toronto FC arrived to the bubble late, so they had their initial game against DC United pushed back two days to give them proper time to acclimate. Then, both teams were tested for COVID-19, with DC United having one positive test and Toronto FC with an inconclusive result. They were once against pushed back, this time one day. Toronto FC still played relatively well in their match, a 2-2 draw against DC. Montreal looked like the team 'impacted' by delays and upheaval, falling 1-0 to New England in their first match. The big story for Montreal was Thierry Henry taking a knee for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in a Black Lives Matter protest. Bettors, while empathetic to the cause, certainly don't like to see one of the XI taking himself out of the play for a good chunk of the game. We'll see if there is a repeat on Thursday evening.

MLS Over-Under Pick

Over 2.5 goals (-146)

Toronto and DC United put up a total of four goals in their match, while Montreal saw the under cash in their 1-0 loss. You can expect them to find a little more room to roam and operate in this one. In fact, the books are expecting both teams to score, as the Yes (-176) for that particular prop will cost you a pretty penny.

Cash the Over 2.5 at FanDuel!

Prediction

Toronto FC 2, Monteal Impact 1

Columbus vs. New York Red Bulls

Date: Thursday, July 16
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
TV: TUDN

MLS Betting Odds
Columbus (+130)
New York Red Bulls (+165)
Draw (+250)

MLS - Money-Line Pick

Draw (+250)

Columbus fired out of the chute with a 4-0 spanking of FC Cincinnati in their first match, vaulting to the top of their group table with three points and a plus-4 goal differential. They'll likely find a little more resistance from a Red Bulls side which posted a 1-0 win over Atlanta United. These clubs haven't faced each other since July 28, 2019, a 3-2 victory by the Crew. It's been a rather even series, however, with the Crew owning a 3-1-2 advantage, although both clubs have scored nine goals against each other in the past six meetings. A draw is the best bet here.

MLS Over-Under Pick

Over 2.5 goals (-144)

Playing over bets in the first matches of this tournament would have you in quite the hole, but as mentioned, teams are finding their rhythm on offense across the past few evenings and the offense is flowing again. Look for the Crew, who cashed an over ticket in Game 1, to take a step back on offense. They won't hang four on the Red Bulls, who are a much better club than Cincinnati defensively. However, the Crew will still get theirs, but New York has the dogs to hang with them and make it interesting.

Prediction

Columbus 2, New York Red Bulls 2

Score big with Draw (+250) at FanDuel!

Odds provided by FanDuel
Odds Subject to Change (T&C's Apply, 21+, US Legal States Only)

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