MLS 15th-16th October

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USA - Major League Soccer

Sunday, 15/10/2006 Best Odds 01:30 New England - Columbus 1.77 3.38 4.19 01:30 N.Y MetroStars - Kansas City 2.28 2.99 3.08 02:30 Houston 1836 - Colorado 1.83 3.25 4.11 04:30 LA Galaxy - Dallas Burns 2.63 3.18 2.48 23:00 Washington DC - Chicago Fire 1.88 3.24 3.89 Monday, 16/10/2006 Best Odds 01:00 CD Chivas USA - Real Salt Lake 1.82 3.23 4.19

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Right as things stand.

DC and Dallas have won their divisions and therefore have nothing to play for in their final game of the season.

LA and Columbus also have nothing to play for as they cannot qualify for the playoffs no more.

In the east Chicago and NE are still both battling for home field advantage while New York and Kansas are still battling it out for the final playoff spot.

In the west Chivas and Houston are battling for the home field advantage while RSL and Colorado are still battling for the final play off spot.

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So after digesting all that the bets to make this weekend are quite straight forward.

NE should be too strong at home to Columbus. NE have made a great late run going into the playoffs almost going unbeaten in 6 winning 4 of them. Bit of a change for them as they normally are thebest team through the season but tail off towards the end. Could this maybe be their year?

Columbus last two results are a bit of a worry mind as they have come away with two evry good victories scoring 7 goals in the process which is something we havent seen from them all season.

Metrostars v Kansas and Houston v Colorado. Still undecided on these games here to be honest as there is so much at stake. If pushed i would take Kansas and Houston.

I will surprise a few and choose LA at home at juicy odds to overcome Dallas. Reasons being is that Dallas i would think would be looking to rest a few players here for the playoffs now they have got their number 1 spot.

LA on the other hand have a lot to play for in a way here. This is the last game for many of their stars including Cobi Jones so you would think the management and the team will be selecting a team to go out in a bang and also thank the support who have stuck with them through the good and the bad times.

Nice odds also and LA are a decent outfit at home and i will have some of that.

Chicago looks a good bet at close to 4.00 but im wary of backing against DC as they are not looking like slowing down and haveeben still playing their near strongest line up even though they qualified a few weeks back.

I like Chivas to beat RSL but the odds are too short for me. Will probably be trying the home side on the handicaps i think as Chivas have a good home record. Could beplenty of goals in this game too.

So early thoughts for me - may change due to injuries etc.

NE to win (although handicaps may interest at better odds)
LA to win
Chivas to win/over 2.5 goals
Chicago on the handicaps
Kansas on the handicaps

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Ok LA aren't looking as healthy as they did originally.

FCD will not be content to play out the string and put it on cruise control against the Galaxy, who were eliminated from playoff contention by virtue of last Saturday's setback to the Hoops. They instead want to build some momentum heading into the playoffs, which begin next weekend.

"We want to go into the playoffs feeling good," said FCD head coach Colin Clarke. "We haven't won there against L.A. in some time and it would be good to put that right. We've beaten Chivas there, so it's not the field. L.A. has always been a good team on their home field over the years. We want to get a good result on Saturday and take that into the playoffs."

The Home Depot Center has been a virtual house of horrors for the Hoops since it opened. They went 0-1-1 against Chivas USA in Carson this year after being a perfect 2-0 against them there last season and are 0-8-0 all-time against the Galaxy there. FCD's last win against the Galaxy in southern California came on Sept. 6, 2000, when they won 1-0 at the Rose Bowl. "We haven't won at the Home Depot Center against them," said FCD right back Bobby Rhine. "So that serves as a motivating factor for us. Knowing that we got a good result against them last Saturday, we want to keep that going. In many ways, it was a good performance. We should go on the road and treat it as a playoff game and prepare with that type of mentality heading into the playoffs."

Dallas are going to be going for it and playing their strongest line up while in LA there is talks of Yallop playing a mixture of experience and some fringe players so you could argue that Dallas might be worth the bet now although they are winless in 8 here so i woudnt back them and they are a bit short.

So we can scrub LA off the shortlist

[prinze]

Sorry guys, the asian handicap for MLS weresurprisingly late at my books. Dont understand why. Here they go and thanks Kiko, will be with u on a couple nearer match time. Cheers

TIME	EVENT	FULL TIME
		HDP	H	A	GOAL	OVER	UNDER
GMT +8	USA MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
10/15 07:30AM	New England Revolution -vs- Columbus Crew	0.5	0.81	-0.89	2.5	-0.96	0.86
10/15 07:30AM	New York Red Bulls -vs- Kansas City Wizards	0/0.5	0.93	0.99	2.5	-0.98	0.88
10/15 08:30AM	Houston Dynamo -vs- Colorado Rapids	0.5	-0.88	0.8	2/2.5	0.96	0.94
10/15 10:30AM	L.A Galaxy -vs- FC Dallas	0	0.8	-0.88	2.5	-0.96	0.86
10/16 05:00AM	Washington D.C. United -vs- Chicago Fire	0.5	0.93	0.99	2.5	-0.99	0.89
10/16 07:00AM	CD Chivas USA -vs- Real Salt Lake	0.5	-0.92	0.84	2.5/3	-0.92	0.82

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Will post a preview tomorow on the DC v Chicago game.

Tonight only one worthwhile bet i feel althouh not to be bet on wit big stakes due to a couple of injury problems to NE's side with Joseph and Noonan still missing.

NE over the last 7 rounds or so have been the form team and should have more than enough at home to overcome Columbus and secure home field advantage for the playoffs.

In theory Columbus haven't a thing bar pride to play for so they should bemore attack minded leaving them more open.

Definately think NE is worth a nibble

NE to win @ 1.82 (4/10)

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1-0 NE in the 87th minute

Lets hope they hang on

[booboo]

YES!!!!!!! Comon NE!! :P

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1-0 full time and NE are guarenteed second and homefield advantage.

Might post a late tip in the LA game. Going to wait for the confirmed team news as im certain there is going to be value to be had once i see the line ups.

[booboo]

So how Kiko? I kind of fancy a under bet here..maybe 1-0 to LA.
What do you think?


booboo

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Surprisingly both sides have gone with their full strength line ups.

Definately agree with you on the unders. Both defensively are very sound although they will be up against very good attackers.

LA havng no out and out goalscorer will be enough for me to convince me of the unders.

Under 2.5 goals @ 1.94 Betfair.

Im about to head off to bed booboo. If you want to watch the game live leave a message in here or drop me a PM and i will give you my MLS password and username if you want.

[booboo]

Hi Kiko,

I will be on the Unders too..you go zzz..thanks for the offer .. its ok..save me from potential heart attacks keke

Gdluck and C'ya later.
booboo

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Some quick thoughts on the DC game.

DC v Chicago

Originally i fancied Chicago to get something from this but after seeing NE win last night this game is now effectively a meaningless game for both now.

After reading the forums etc it seems that DC will be playing their full strength side. They have had meaningless games recently and started their best team available so i expect the same here.

One injury worry today thats happened is all star keeper Perkins missing from the NE line up although Rimando will come in and should be sufficent cover.

Chicago now have a dilemma whether they play their best line up or not. Their fans seem certain a few will be rested now.

A meaningless game this is but as strange as this sounds this is a must win game in a way for DC. Their form over the last few weeks has been very poor by their standards.

Morale isn't at the highest and they have been struggling on the offensive front which is a far cry from their early season form. A win here going into the playoffs would do great for them and i expect them to come away with the victory.

DC United to win @ 1.94 Betfair (5/10)