MLS 3-4 June

[prinze]

TIME (GMT)	GAME	HDP	H	A	O/U	O	U
MLS
06/03 23:30PM	Washington D.C. United -vs- New England Revolution	0.50	0.91	0.99	2.5/3	0.92	0.82
06/04 00:30AM	FC Dallas -vs- Columbus Crew	0.5/1	0.95	0.97	2.5/3	0.93	0.83
06/04 00:30AM	Houston Dynamo -vs- L.A Galaxy	0.5/1	0.98	0.94	2.5/3	0.93	0.83
06/04 00:30AM	Kansas City Wizards -vs- New York Red Bulls	0.50	0.96	0.88	2.5/3	0.96	0.86
06/04 01:00AM	Real Salt Lake -vs- Chicago Fire	0.0	0.97	0.89	2.5/3	0.96	0.86
06/04 02:00AM	CD Chivas USA -vs- Colorado Rapids	0.0	0.94	0.98	2.5/3	0.92	0.82

[igor5]

i just wach the stats for mls and something come up ,chicago play only away from home,why?
salt lake get thet ofencise in shape or i am just thinking like thet ,chicago like lake a time thet is capable of taking a point from this game....

i have to go with dallas they are in good run in this moment ,and columbus is having some problem with defence i think there is some problem with goalkeeapers? all of the regulars goalkeeapers are out??????

c0lorado last year won 3 and draw 1 against chivas ,he won both of the games away with same result 1-3 ,so maybe one more time ???
c`mon kiko give as some hope with mls.........

[sdsponger]

Dallas looks good, that's for sure. I also like the looks of Houston and DC against struggling LA and NE.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Originally Posted by igor5

i just wach the stats for mls and something come up ,chicago play only away from home,why?

They have a new stadium being built thats not quite ready so they have had to go through with playing a lot of away games to begin with. Hope that clears it all up for you.

Don't have much time but will go have a look.

Chivas i would side with more than Colorado Igor. Chivas were the worst team in the league last season for a good part of the season until they got in some new players who really turned them around.

They are far stronger this season and they should give Colorado a very good game.

1.73 for Houston is very thin but you can't really back LA at all can you so that looks like another home win there.

DC United game i will give a miss as NE are still a very dangerous side and if anything 4.77 on the away is a bit too overpriced for my liking. Quite large that actually thinking on it.

Dallas looks another good home victory but 1.66 is a bit too short so i could possibly dip into some sort of handicap bet there.

Of all the games though i think my main bet for tonight will be the Metrostars @ 4.33 to overcome Kansas.

Kansas were my tip pre season to win the whole thing and i still think they have a cracking chance but this is mainly down to the fact of their awesome strikeforce which is by far and away the best frontline in the MLS with Johnson and Wolff.

The proof is there for all to see. These two strikers aswell as Conrad and Hue have missed the last 3 games for Kansas and its no coincidence they have lost them 3 games as these players add so much quality to the side that their replacements aren't up to scratch.

I would have the Red Bulls at 3.00, maybe 3.50 max so i think thats a cracking value bet.

Anyways, i will go and have a look and see what i can uncover.

[Sipu]

metrostars = red bulls?

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Originally Posted by Sipu

metrostars = red bulls?

Yeah Sipu, they got bought over by Red Bull so are know known as the "New York Red Bulls

[Sipu]

thx Kiko. Well if they win they can call themselves NY Blue Cows for all I care

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Kansas City Wizards v New York Red Bulls

Pretty big match up here and argueably the biggest game of the weekend.

You have a Kansas City side that looked like they were going to run away with the division with DC but their 3 losses in a row has really set them back now and they have 3 sides breathing right down their necks now.

The Red Bulls are a side at the bottom of their division even though they only lost two games so far this season and they need to start getting results before its too late and they find themselves to far behind the side above them and they end up missing out on the playoff spot.

Usually 2.00+ for the home side i would be all over but like i've stated already in this thread their missing players due to WC duty has really hurt them badly and they are looking nothing like the dangerous side they were looking in the early part of the season.

So you have Johnson, Wolff, Conrad and Hue missing from the line up.

Hue isn't really a big miss as he warms the bench more times than not but it affects his sides strength in depth.

Conrad is a big blow in the defence as he has always been one of his sides ever presents and oozes consistency and class in the line up.

Up front is where they have been hit really bad. Wolff hasn't had the best of scoring starts tot he season for the club but he has certainly had a big impact and his interplay is second to none. Last seasons top goalscorer at Kansas too.

Eddie Johnson is the teams star man and he will most likely spearhead the USA attack at the WC. Very pacey and skillful and he knows where the back of the net is and it was quite a coup for Kansas to get hold of his signature.

A big problem now for the Kansas coach is what formation to start with as he has been tinkering with his first choice strikeforce missing and it just hasn't work.

Sealey will be leading the line and he has done a good job for Kansas and will pose a threat but just doesn't have the same quality.

3 losses on the trot now and the fans are beginning to get a bit restless with the whole situation now.

A big problem for Kansas has been managing to kill teams off. They have scored a goal in each of their previous 7 games but haven't been able to get the decisive second.

New York have had a mixed season so far. Only two losses but its the number of draws that is really holding them back right now and they need to start turning 1 point into 3 points otherwise they are going to have a long hard season.

They had last week off so they got in a friendly against a depleted Bayern Munich side which they won 4-2.

A big plus for this game though was the re emergence of Amado Guevera who had an altercation with his manager last time out and went in a huff and it wasn't looking too good but they seem to have sorted this out and Guevara came back with an assist and a goal and looked back to the superb player that he was last season for his side.

I would have him in my top 3 list of best players in the MLS and when he is on top form there isn't anything the opposition can do as he is an absolute handful.

Attacking wise they have some of the best options in the league. They are a side that play with the mentality of "the opposition score 3, we will score 4" and although its a dangerous way to go about it has done them well at times.

Djorkaeff although not getting any older still has the quality he had from his younger days and he is still a big threat in this league as he has shown with 2 goals and 2 assists so far thsi season.

Seth Stamler has really started showing his potential recently too and he completes the attacking trio threat from midfield.

Upfront i still think Buddle has a lot to offer even if he has only scored 1 goal so far this season. He is playing well, just not getting the breaks at the minute but it will come as he continues to work hard each game.

At the back is my only worry for the Red Bulls as they are just so dodgy and unorganised at times you always feel they will concede at some point in the game.

But the game will be won between the battle of Kansas's backline and New Yorks frontline imo and it is an intruguing match.

No form really for any side at the minute and no injury problems bar the International call ups so i am going to side with the Red Bulls mainly due to the loss of Kansas's best players.

The outright bet is a bit more dangerous so maybe try some cover in the draw just to be save.

NY Red Bulls to win @ 4.33 Skybet (3/10)
NY Red Bulls +0.5 @ 1.88 Betdaq (7/10)

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

DC United v NE Revolution

Not much to say on this game for me i have to say as i wouldn't be at all surprised to see NE nick something here.

Im still not entirely convinced by DC. Yes they have made a great start and you can only beat what is put on front of you but when you analyse their results a bit closer its not all that impressive.

5-1 v Columbus, looks good but when you see it a bit closer you see Columbus are missing 4 goalkeepers and had to get in an untried player from the minor football leagues or wherever it was. Add to that Columbus have been hit pretty hard by injuries and are very weak and depleted at the minute i don't think its too impressive.

Before that they beat a Kansas side 3-1 but again as ive posted up earlier, Kansas have been hit hard by WC call ups and have really struggled since losing all 3 games.

Then a loss to Colorado and so on.

Don't get me wrong they are a good side but i would never like to be betting on a side odds on against NE regardless of NE's form right now.

They have lost 2 very good players in Dempsey and John but there side hasn't been hit as hard as others and have been fortunate as they still have Noonan, Joseph and Twellman all available where i expected all 3 would go to the WC so they are still very strong.

Slipped up the last 2 games but prior to that in the Chivas and LA wins they looked back to their fantastic best of last season and very very dangerous.

All depends what NE side turn up for me but its probably a game to watch and enjoy rather than get involved with.

+0.5 on the asian handicap at 2.00 is really tempting me but i think im just going to hold back and keep off this game.

NO BET

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

RSL v Chicago

Again, a game that is best left alone on the 1x2 markets as any of the 3 outcomes wouldn't be a surprise.

Chicago have to play a good part of their first half of the season on the road whilst their new home ground is completed and they have done very well only losing 2 out of 7 games away from home.

I've said all season that RSL are a poor side but with a very potent strikeforce in Kreiss and Cunningham that if given chances will take them and score you goals.

They weren't getting anything created for the first few games of the season but what a turnaround now and they are getting some good service and they have taking the oppotunity and got the side goals.

Currently 3 games unbeaten now which was unthinkable really early on and are on course for a record breaking 4th game unbeaten in club history.

To be honest they are actually playing some good football and whilst they look dangerous attacking just now they are still very prone to conceding goals where they have scored 12 but conceded 15 goals.

Over 2.5 goals seems like a decent bet as i do think Chicago can score here but my only worry is their stubborn defence and if RSL are able to break it down and this is what is putting me off the game so i think its best left alone.

NO BET

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Houston v LA

I am going to continue to go against LA this season until i see some sort of threat from them on front of goal although 1.73 is a bit short for Houston but i will still take it i think.

Here is what my thoughts are from midweek LA game a few days ago and my thoughts still stand.

Well what can you say about LA? Last season's MLS champs and this season if they continue as they are then they are going to end up becoming the chumps and finishing bottom at this rate.

A very poor start from them. No real threat on the attacking front and leaking silly goals at the back.

I am sure they would've picked up though but the WC this season has really put them in big big danger.

Missing due to call ups are Albright, Glen and Donovan.

Albright was one of their real stand outs at the back last season and is a quality player. Since he has not been in the line up they have looked very vulnerable down the right hand side of their team and their opponents have taking full advantage of this, most notable NE when they went 3-0 up early on.

At the other end they have been having even bigger problems. Only scored 6 goals in the league this season which is a poor return when you see some of the options they have at their disposal.

Things aren't going to improve anytime soon either with their two best attacking forwards missing.

Glen has been at a whole host of clubs and never really settled but he seemed to at LA and had a great start to his career there where he scored a couple and was a real threat throughout.

Donovan didn't have the best of starts although he did play superb in a couple of games and was the reason they won. When he plays well, the team does and mostly win, its as simple as that. He is the star of the side and the league.

The big worry here for LA is that with these 3 missing, they dont have anyone to come in and cover these guys that have anywhere near as much quality and this is the problem as the reserves in the LA side are quite poor.

Cobi Jones is ruled out also and while he may be ageing he is still a decent player at this level of football and thats another attacking weapon missing from the line up.

Its not looking too good for Vagenas either which again is a big blow as he is the holding defensive midfielder who does a cracking job in there tidying everything up.

So with that struggling side already and the missing players i just cannot see where the goals are going to come from for LA.

They have been creating chances mind in games recently but they just don't have that quality of player upfront who can stick the ball in the net for them.

Injuries they had midweek still stand so they are still lacking very much in quality.

They are now 5 games lost in a row and one more loss here would tie the clubs record for consecutive losses.

8 hours they have gone also without scoring a goal and i don't see still where the goals will come from against quite a stubborn Houston defence which have upped their game a few notches from the vulnerable backline they had in the early part of the season.

My only worry with Houston is their lack of form right now and struggle also to score goals.

After a great start to the season they havent won in 3 games now which coincides with top goalscorer Ching going away with USA on WC duty.

While they are not a 1 man team they, like LA, don't seem to have a striker who can come in and be sufficent cover and get them their goals.

Just looking here at LA's top goalscorers...

(2) C. Glen (1) C. Jones (1) C. Albright (1) H. Gomez (1) L. Donovan

7 games since last score 5 games since last score 8 games since last score 5 games since last score 5 games since last score

Only Gomez will feature tonight from that list with the other 4 out for whatever reasons o you can see just how bad a time LA has it right now.

Quite like the under 2.5 goals bet too. Two sides struggling for goals but pretty decent backlines which should be on top of the strikers throughout the game.

Under 2.5 goals available at 2.00 with centrebet. 6-4 in favour of the under 2.5 goals for LA while its 5-5 for Houston and under current conditions i think the 2.00 represents some value.

Houston to win @ 1.73 Betfair
Under 2.5 goals @ 2.00 Centrebet

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Dallas v Columbus

Not really a lot of information required on this game. The price is bang on, infact maybe a bit bigger than i expected as i was thinking it would be around the 1.50 mark so i guess 1.66 is value.

Dallas are flying in the league so far losing only once in 7 games.

Star forward Carlos Ruiz has shown why he has one of the biggest contracts in MLS scoring 6 goals so far with his 6 goals in his last 5 games.

He adds so much more to the side though which has been shown with his 4 assists and great interplay with his strike partners.

Ex Man Utd youth player Kenny Cooper has been a very shrewd bit of business for them and has surprised me with just how well he has faired. Big strong striker who wins plenty of balls in the air which Ruiz and Milna work well off of.

5 goals so far for him and Dallas have the second best scoring record in the league just behind DC United.

For all their great attacking flair a lot of their defensive work goes unnoticed.

Valakari, the ex Motherwell and Derby man, plays the holding midfield spot superbly in the side and although Ruiz is the big star of the side Valakari would get my vote for their most valueable player to the team.

Vanney at the back is another player who doesn't get the recognition he deserves as whenever i see him he is a real solid player who doesn't mess around and clears his lines well.

I do like this Dallas side and enjoy watching them alot as they like to play football and have such a great variance in their side that they can mix their style of play up very very well.

Columbus are just hoping for the best right now with their current games due to the extent of their injury list.

Originally Posted by www.mlsnet.com

COLUMBUS CREW - OUT: GK Jonny Walker (lower back), DF Jed Zayner (L knee ACL); GK Bill Gaudette (R broken hand); MF Danny Szetela (L foot fracture); DF Frankie Hejduk (R knee ACL); GK Andy Gruenebaum (R broken hand); GK Jon Busch (R knee ACL); QUESTIONABLE: DF Rusty Pierce (L hamstring strain)

Current state of affairs there and as you can see they are missing their 4 goalkeepers they have in their squad and they have had to get a minor league keeper in to take up the position.

He didn't look too comfortable against DC i have to say and definately a potential weak spot in the side.

Columbus don't look any better upfront than they did last season. Away from home last season they were very poor and really struggled to score goals.

The same is continuing this season and questions why exactly they got rid of last seasons top goalscorer at the club for an inconsistent youngster in Gaven.

Current injuries and form doesn't give me any hope that Columbus can get much out of this game and the home win looks the surest bet of the MLS this weekend imo.

Dallas to win @ 1.66 Sporting odds (8/10)
Dallas -1 European Handicap @ 2.75 Stan James (2/10)

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Too tired for analysis on Chivas game but i will try my luck with the home win there.

Main Bets

NY Red Bulls +0.5 @ 1.88 Betdaq (7/10)
Houston to win @ 1.73 Betfair (7/10)
Dallas to win @ 1.66 Sporting odds (8/10)
Chivas to win @ 2.76 Betfair (6/10)

Smaller Bets

Dallas -1 European Handicap @ 2.75 Stan James (2/10)
NY Red Bulls to win @ 4.33 Skybet (3/10)
Under 2.5 goals @ 2.00 Centrebet (5/10)

Possible Last Minute Choice

NE +0.5 Asian @ 2.00

Good luck with your bets guys, will be watching some of the games live later on.

[Silke]

Very nice work Kiko where will you be watching the games at ? I would be interested in watching the Dallas game myself if possible

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Originally Posted by Silke

Very nice work Kiko where will you be watching the games at ? I would be interested in watching the Dallas game myself if possible

www.mlsnet.com

Unfortunately its a subscription service they offer on theiir games now where last season it was all free.

Still a reasonable deal they do paying $20 for the entire season's viewiing of nearly all the games.

You can buy just a day ticket for about $4 i think it is too.