The Seattle Sounders (4-1-2, 13 Points) are starting to play like the MLS Cup contenders many believed they were going to be at the outset of the season. Theoretically, matches like this one against New York City FC (1-3-4, 8 Points) shouldn't be all that difficult.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Sounders though, are only just barely favorites in this away fixture. Sure, it's a long trip across the country, but the price on Seattle seems to be a great one at +147. Seattle is PK -130 on the Asian handicap, just a tad better than the PK +110 for NYCFC.
The total is stock by MLS standards at 2.5 (under -145).
KEY INJURIES
The Sounders are just about totally fit for this match. Their only minor concern is to Damion Lowe, who is battling a left ankle sprain.
New York City though, is in a much different boat. David Villa is back in training with problems to his hip and his hamstring, though he is still questionable for this match. Adam Nemec and Javier Calle were both figuring to sit out this week as well, but both are back in training and have been upgraded to questionable.
Jason Hernandez and Josh Williams are also back on the practice pitch, though neither one is expected to suit up for this duel.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I think it's a very difficult thing in this league, and I've always thought so, when you have extremely important players like that, that you're allocating a lot of resources to, you need those guys on the field. It's not just about what David Villa is. It's also about what he brings to the group and how everyone feels a bit more confident and positive that plays around him." – New York City FC manager Jason Kreis on David Villa's injured hip and hamstring and his effect on the team
RECENT FORM
Seattle's sluggish start to the season seems to be behind it, though last week's 1-0 win over Portland was a match that easily could have been lost. The team though, has won consecutive matches, and it has been putting on show after show defensively, limiting big chances and putting together clinical displays of possession in the midfield in the process.
NYCFC hasn't scored a goal in two straight matches now, and the team has just one win on the season. Kreis is saying the right things about City, but the bottom line is that it needs Villa back in the lineup to succeed.
TALKING TOTALS
All of Seattle's possession has really slowed down games. Men like Clint Dempsey should probably have more goals than they do, but the end result has been good for under bettors. The under has cashed in four of the Sounders' last five fixtures.
Not surprisingly, without Villa in there, goals have been hard to come by for New York City. The team has just one goal in its last three matches, and it has only scored more than once in a match all season long. The under is 6-1 so far on the young season.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
If Villa is able to play a full 90 minutes, we really do like New York City's chances of getting at least a point in this match. The Seattle offense has had some sloppy finishing attempts in recent weeks, and that could come back to bite it as it almost did against the Timbers last weekend.
However, without Villa, the offense for NYCFC just isn't there. There is no finishing prowess in the final third, and the best the team could hope for is to eke out a counterattack goal and a win that way. More likely though, City is headed for another disappointing loss.
Seattle 1, New York City FC 0
BookMaker has live MLS odds for every clash of the season. You can find a moneyline price on the Seattle Sounders of +145 and a total of 2.5 (under -125) right now! BookMaker is also going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised match. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, total and spread. Log in and start gambling during the soccer game now!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between the Seattle Sounders and New York City FC will take place at 7:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Yankee Stadium at the Bronx, NY. The game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1.
