It’s been a rough year for the Seattle Sounders. Seattle won the Western Conference in each of the last two seasons, but this year they are near the bottom of the table three months into their campaign for a threepeat. The Sounders were one of the favorites coming into this season, but they have been incredibly disappointing and have had a hard time scoring. Still, they are big favorites coming into their match with Real Salt Lake this week.
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MLS Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Real Salt Lake +444
Seattle Sounders -169
Draw +342
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
Seattle has the worst offense in the league by a wide margin at this point. The Sounders have netted a scant seven goals in their nine games, four less than any other club in the MLS. The defense has been great though, allowing just 11 goals this year. That is the second-best mark in the league.
Real Salt Lake is looking to get back to the playoffs after missing out last year. They have a long way to go in order to catch up though. RSL has the worst goal differential in the Western Conference, posting a -11 total through 11 games. The defense has been mostly to blame as they have allowed a conference-high 25 goals.
Recent Form
For a brief period of time, it looked like Seattle had overcome a tough start to the season. The Sounders were shut out in each of their first three matches and were unable to pick up their first point until six weeks into the year. However, the offensive problems have flared up again. Seattle has been blanked in six of its nine games this season and three of their last four. Two weeks ago, the Sounders were only able to muster five shots and just one on goal against Portland.
Real Salt Lake has really struggled away from home this season. RSL managed to get a draw in their first road game of the year, but they have since lost five straight road games. All of those losses were by multiple goals, and they have managed just four goals in those six games.
Key Absences
Both teams have a number of concerns on the injury front. Real Salt Lake has two long-term injuries to report. Defender Tony Beltran will be out until August after an injury suffered last season, while goalkeeper Alex Horwath hurt his Achilles tendon earlier in the month and is likely lost for the year. Midfielder Jordan Allen and defenders Shawn Barry and Demar Phillips have been ruled out for this match as well. Forward Joao Plata is questionable due to a quad injury.
Seattle has been hamstrung by injuries all season. The club lost forward Jordan Morris early on, and now two of their other top offensive threats are sidelined as well. Midfielder Osvaldo Alonso is dealing with a left quad strain, and forward Will Bruin has an injured left heel. In addition, midfielder Victor Rodriguez and defender Roman Torres have been declared out for this match too. Midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro is questionable with a fractured toe.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
There are two things going for the Sounders in this one. They had a bye week last week and picked up some needed rest. Additionally, the club will be playing at home where they have been traditionally great.
However, they should not be this large of a favorite considering their recent performances. There is a lot of value in Real Salt Lake at this point, even with their poor road record. Taking a shot on the draw or on the visitors outright makes a lot of sense.
Major League Soccer Odds: Real Salt Lake 1, Seattle Sounders 1
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