Week 29 MLS Picks
Spirits were dampened a bit headed into the international break after a devastating Austin FC loss was paired with a losing week of picks. But after taking the international break to get a bit of a reset (and watch a lot of American football), we’re back and ready for the stretch run of the regular season. The official league injury report came out Friday afternoon, let’s dive into the Week 29 picks.
Inter Miami
To Win + O 2.5 (-115)
Lionel Messi will make his first appearance since injuring his ankle in the Copa America final with Argentina earlier in the summer. The “Big Four” (Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba) are all available for this one, while Philly continues to toil in 11th out in the Eastern Conference. On top of that, Andre Blake got injured (again) with Jamaica over the weekend and will miss this game. Inter Miami score in bunches (62 goals in 27 games) while also being vulnerable at the back. We’ll take the Miami to win and over 2.5 goals in the game combo at close to even money.
LAFC
ML +140
The next chapter in the “El Tráfico” rivalry will be written in the late window on Saturday night. If you’re a fan of MLS, this is a must-watch in our book. We’re going to ride with LAFC, who are the road side in this crosstown match. LA Galaxy have a much worse defense and will also be without Joseph Paintsil due to suspension. And when we can get plus-money odds on a team with the likes of Denis Bouanga, Oliver Giroud, Christian Olivera and Mateusz Bogusz up front, we take it.
Houston Dynamo
ML -110
We hate Houston. But we also try to avoid letting our anti-orange bias seep into the picks. The Dynamo are in a good spot at home against an RSL side that has lost three of its last five league matches, picking up just four points since the first week of July. We’ll take Houston to win as DP summer signing Ezequiel Ponce continues to fit in seamlessly with his new team.
Austin FC
ML +300
Is it a must-win mathematically? Nope. But is it a must-win for the vibes? One hundred percent. And despite laying an egg at home two weeks ago against Vancouver, Austin still had a good month leading up to that loss, including a road win over a similar Eastern Conference team in Nashville. Surprising absolutely nobody, we’re riding with our boys again.
Goal Scorers
Every week we’ll pick a few of our favorite goal scoring options in the betting market. Here are the Week 29 shouts.
Lionel Messi -145
Cucho +160
Nico Gioacchini +225
Karol Swiderski +180
Sebastián Driussi +290
Osman Bukari +320
Ezequiel Ponce +180
Chicho +150
Denis Bouanga +140
Pedro De La Vega +270
To score 2 or more goals
Lionel Messi +360
Cucho +1000 (0.5 U)
Sebastián Driussi +2500 (0.5 U)
Osman Bukari +2800 (0.5 U)
Denis Bouanga +850 (0.5 U)
To Score or give assist
Evander +110
Djordje Mihailovic -115
To score a header
Christian Benteke +300
To have 1 or more shots on target
Osman Bukari +100
Results
Last week: -5.55 U
Season: +3.01 U
