Liam Flin
Show Bio
It is Toronto’s turn to sit out a week in Major League Soccer as last year’s MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew return to action. Only one team — L.A. Galaxy — has managed to win both opening contests and week three of MLS looks unlikely to disappoint. Be sure to check out our picks and predictions for every MLS matchup this weekend, as well as all the games in the English Premier League (EPL).
Let’s take a look at our four-game parlay for Saturday.
Columbus Crew ML (+118)
Los Angeles FC ML (+123)
Orlando ML (-220)
Minnesota ML (-139)
Parlay odds: +1121
Columbus Crew to beat Montreal (+118)
Columbus Crew may have missed week two of MLS but they have been kept busy by their CONCACAF Champions League duties, having tied 2-2 with Monterrey in midweek.
Their Liga MX opponents put up a fight, finding an equalizer in the 93rd minute of that contest, but Columbus should be more comfortable when they take on a Montreal side with a fragile defense.
Montreal has taken a solid four points from its first two games but allowed Nashville 18 shots in their last game, conceding twice to tie 2-2 despite having led. Although they won, Montreal also let in two goals against Toronto in their opening game and against Columbus talents Gyasi Zardes and Lucas Zelarayan, they could be worth opposing.
Los Angeles FC to beat Houston Dynamo (+123)
Star offensive players Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi continue to be assessed for Los Angeles FC but Bob Bradley’s team have shown they can be a danger without their main men this month.
Vela played only 22 minutes of their match with Austin FC and they still went on to win 2-0, and they also held a strong Seattle team to a 1-1 tie last time out with Rossi missing both games.
Corey Baird and Jose Cifuentes look able deputies in offense and the California outfit should be able to beat Houston, who finished bottom of the Western Conference last year with only four wins from 23 matches.
The Texas team managed to beat a weak San Jose Earthquakes team in their opener but lost to Portland last week and could struggle here.
Take notes, @MLS. 👨🏫🇨🇴#LAFC | @EduardAtuesta pic.twitter.com/k375uAvkMq
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 28, 2021
Orlando City to beat Cincinnati (-220)
Orlando City has put only two points on the board after two games but given the caliber of opposition they have faced, that is not a bad haul.
The Floridians held an Atlanta team with Josef Martinez back in the roster to a 0-0 tie before their matchup with last year’s Western Conference winners Sporting Kansas City finished 1-1.
And they should have enough in their locker to get the better of a Cincinnati side who were thrashed 5-0 by New York City last week, allowing their opponents 22 shots and 10 on target on that occasion. Take Orlando to win this one.
Minnesota United to beat Austin FC (-139)
Diego Fagundez and Cecilio Dominguez both impressed for this season’s expansion side Austin FC last week, helping the team to a 3-1 win away to Colorado Rapids, but they could face a tougher match against Minnesota on Saturday.
Minnesota has lost both of their matches so far but the 4-0 loss to Seattle was harsh on them and they dominated in their 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake, managing 23 shots.
They placed fourth in the Western Conference last season and have the experience in their ranks to get back on track this week. They look a good bet to beat Austin.
Pickswise is the home of free soccer picks and predictions. Make sure to also check out our MLS tab throughout the 2021 Major League Soccer season for more expert picks.
