Football Betting Tips for MLS 2022
At the time of writing, Philadelphia are leading the way in the Eastern Conference after an assured start to the season. Three wins and one draw has seen the side onto 10 points, with their place at the top of the table coming alongside an unbeaten run in the competition so far.
However, despite impressing so far, Philadelphia have not had everything their own way, and they have only been able to open up a two point lead at the top of the table. Indeed, both Columbus and Chicago also boast unbeaten records in the Eastern Conference, with two wins and two draws each. The eight points they have picked up means they are within striking distance of Philadelphia at the top of the Conference, with MLS predictions for who will finish at the top of the Eastern Conference starting to heat up.
At the bottom of the table, both Inter Miami and Montreal have struggled to get going this year and are the only sides in the Conference without a win at this stage. One draw and three losses each is a paltry effort, while Montreal and Inter Miami have conceded 11 and 10 goals respectively, with their inability to stay tight at the back very worrying for the sides.
In the Western Conference, both LAFC and Real Salt Lake have so far excelled, remaining unbeaten after four. Three wins and a draw each has seen both sides onto 10 points, meaning they hold a two point lead over Minnesota in third. While the season still has a long way to go, both sides will be eyeing up the automatic Final Series slot. Bettors will hope that the battle between the pair and the rest for that sole position at the top will run right until the final day, with our MLS predictions already weighing in with their betting tips on this fight.
In the remaining Final Series Play-Off spots are Austin, FC Dallas, Colorado and LA Galaxy. The sides will know that with so little between themselves and the top spots and a huge amount of games still to come, that they can achieve anything in the league this season. However, they will be all too aware of letting the likes of LAFC and Real Salt Lake build up too much of a lead over them, as this is one they will likely struggle to claw back.
At the bottom of the table, San Jose and Vancouver have both struggled so far. Both sides have drawn once and lost three times each, and they are the only two in the Western Conference without a win. While there is still time for the sides to turn their fortunes around, their fans will be very worried that this poor star is a sign of things to come this year.
Our expert betting tips and MLS predictions help our punters to ensure that they are not left making MLS bets that would never come off due to their lack of knowledge of the league. Any punter that is worth their salt will know that they must either do the research to make themselves an expert or they consult an expert themselves. Knowing the best players, teams, information and markets all helps to ensure our tips for betting on the MLS are of the highest quality.
Who are the best bookmakers for the MLS?
This, as always, is down to your own personal preference. However, we think that 888sport and bet365 are the best MLS bookmakers available. Their excellent range of bonuses along with competitive odds has helped to elevate them to the top of the bookie game.
Alongside our choice of the best bookmakers, you will find an array of viable choices and, in all honesty, you should try to choose a bookie that will offer the markets you want to wager on along with providing you with a bonus that you will use.
Previous Season Recap
In the Eastern Conference last season, it was New England that battled to the top of the table. An exceptional run saw the side win 22, draw seven and lose just five times across the regular season. Interestingly, while they were scoring goals in impressive style, with 65 in 34, they were unable to stay particularly strong at the back, conceding 41 times.
However, they were ultimately aided by the profligacy of those below them, with nearest rivals Philadelphia 19 points behind the top side. New England’s 73 points was more than enough to clinch their place in the Final Series after what was a very impressive campaign, with many MLS predictions backing the side to go all the way and win in the grand final.
In the play-off spots came Philadelphia, Nashville, New York City, Atlanta United, Orlando City and New York Red Bulls, who all secured a place. While New England romped to the top spot with room to spare, it was incredibly tight from second to 10th. Philadelphia picked up 54 points, while 10th-placed Montreal secured 46 points, with that minuscule eight points separating nine teams showing just how competitive the season was and how important backing the right MLS predictions would be.
At the other end of the table, Cincinnati (20 points) and Toronto (28 points) were the bottom two sides. Both ended some way short of the play-off spots and will need to be far better this season if they want to keep their fans on side.
In the Western Conference, things were far tighter at the top. Colorado clinched top spot with 61 points, but just behind them came Seattle Sounders (60) and Sporting KC (58). This incredibly tight battle for the top spot in the league summed up just how ferociously competitive the Western Conference was, with an inability to split the sides until the final day meaning that backing the right MLS predictions became even more important.
Away from the top three, Portland, Minnesota, Vancouver and Real Salt Lake all claimed play-off spots in another supremely tight battle. At the wrong end of the table were Houston Dynamos (30 points) and Austin (31). While the two definitely fared far better than the bottom two in the Eastern Conference, they still have some way to go if they are to cut the gap between themselves and the side in the play-off spots.
In the play-offs there was a huge shock as New England were knocked out by New York City as they lost 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw. This win for New York City only spurred them on as they made it to the finals with a 2-1 win over Philadelphia, meaning they were able to beat both of the top two sides in the Eastern Conference in order to make the final.
On the Western Conference play-off side, it was Portland Timbers that fought their way to the final as they beat Minnesota United (3-1) and Colorado Rapids (1-0). However, this was where the fairytale ended for the Timbers, with a 1-1 draw resulting in New York City winning 4-2 on penalties, the second time New York City had won a game via spot-kicks in the play-off.
Despite enduring something of an underwhelming regular season campaign after finishing in fourth, New York City were able to claim the MLS title in nerve-wracking style, with penalties proving to be the only thing that could separate the sides.
Notable transfers
We are very excited to see how young Brazilian start Gabriel Pereira fares in the MLS this season. Having signed with New York City for around £4.5 million, the winger will be hoping to add some Brazilian spice to the league after leaving Corinthians. While he only managed to net twice in 43 appearances for this former side, he is full of tricks and will provide a real threat either cutting in from the right wing or putting balls in the box for his teammates to attack.
Orlando City were able to snare an exciting young talent from Uruguay, with Facundo Torres joining the side. For a reported fee of around £6.14 million, Torres arrives with some real pressure on his shoulders, with expectation for a transfer that size likely to be very high amongst the fans and his teammates. The left-winger left Penarol with 10 goals in 51 appearances and looks to be every bit the start that his transfer fee suggests. At only 21-years-old, Torres has a lot of time to continue to grow as a player, although Orlando fans will be hoping he can immediately emulate the excitement of another F. Torres (Fernando Torres) when he takes to the field.
Which Teams are Favourites to Win MLS 2022
Philadelphia (Eastern Conference)
Philadelphia currently top the Eastern Conference and look every bit the table toppers they are. Three wins and a draw have come alongside seven goals scored and just two conceded, showing they are strong right the way across the park.
While it is still very early in the season, many bettors will already be backing MLS predictions that state that Philadelphia are the side to back, and after the start they are enjoying, it is not difficult to see why.
LAFC (Western Conference)
In the Western Conference, things are just as tight as they are in the Eastern Conference, with a number of sides battling for the bragging right of being at the top of the table. However, LAFC have really impressed so far this campaign with three wins and a draw, meaning they are still unbeaten after four games.
Much like on the other side of the competition, there is still a lot of time and games to come, but LAFC are a side that have appeared prominently in MLS predictions so far this year.
Which Teams Will Struggle?
Cincinnati (Eastern Conference)
While there is no relegation in the MLS, the battle to avoid finishing at the bottom is incredibly ferocious. While every side will do everything they can to avoid propping up the table, the poor form of Cincinnati last season worries us. Just four wins in 34 attempts alongside eight draws and 22 losses constituted an awful season, while they were only able to score 22 times, while conceding 74 goals. Something dramatic will have to happen in order for Cincinnati to avoid being in the battle to avoid the bottom. While they have won two of their four to start this season, we still feel there is room for Cincinnati to struggle, and if they lose a few games, we do worry for them.
San Jose (Western Conference)
Last year, San Jose battled to 10th in the Western Conference after winning 10, drawing 11 and losing 13 times. Their season was undermined by an inability to win consistently, while their goal tally (46 scored and 54 conceded) was not good enough for the side. At the time of writing, San Jose have been unable to win a game, drawing one and losing three times. The four goals they have scored and nine conceded shows they are once again struggling at both ends of the pitch, with five points already separating the side from LA Galaxy in seventh and the final play-off spot.
MLS players to keep an eye on this season
The MLS showcases some huge names in the league, although it is worth noting many of those players are nearing the end of their careers. Despite this, there are still some world class players in the MLS that are worth keeping an eye on when it comes to making your MLS predictions.
LA Galaxy’s Javier Hernandez has been excellent for the side as he continues to prove he has that eye for goals. A superb 21 goals in 37 games sees Hernandez continue his excellent goal-scoring run in America. His poacher’s instinct coupled with his pace, skill and trickery makes him a supremely difficult forward to stop, with most of the MLS clubs he has come up against unable to answer the question of how to stop him.
LAFC’s Carlos Vela is a forward that we really enjoy watching play, with his penchant for goal scoring exceptional. For LAFC, Vela has managed to score an astounding 61 goals in 90 games for the side. Impressively, these numbers eclipse his output for Real Sociedad where he was much younger, managing to score 54 in 184. Vela’s exploits for LAFC see him as the joint-top scorer with four goals, and most MLS predictions believe he will only continue to add to his tally, with age clearly not dampening his goal-scoring output yet.
How do we Produce Our Betting tips and Predictions
In order to give you the best betting tips available, our expert tipsters ensure that they do an incredible amount of research into every single MLS betting tip that they give you. The ability to look at head-to-heads, historic results, current events at the clubs, scoring and assisting charts and defensive records means that we are able to get a very well-rounded picture of how the game might go.
Which MLS Matches do You Offer Predictions for?
As previously mentioned, the MLS is rapidly gaining popularity in both America and around the world. This means that we are able to offer tips and predictions for a huge range of matches in the league. Our MLS betting tips from our tipsters only come from genuine experts, with the betting prediction successful bets rate very high. This means that whether you are betting a huge derby, a top of the table clash or scrap at the bottom, we will have you covered with expert MLS predictions and tips.
All you need to know on MLS Betting
Backing any betting tips, regardless of the sport, can be the difference between you making a well-informed bet that was researched and created by an expert, or backing a bet that was never going to come off.
In the MLS, the biggest markets tend to be the first goalscorer markets and the anytime scorer markets. The former provides you with the ability to make a decent return if you nail who will score first, but it means that your player has to hit the back of the net first, with your bet losing even if they score the second goal.
The anytime scorer meanwhile offers a smaller potential return, but your bet will come in even if your choice scores the sixth goal of the match, for example.
Generally, you should take a look at the top goal scorers in the league to see who you should be backing, while looking at how a player performs against certain sides, at particular grounds and if they are on a hot or cold streak can tell you who has the best chance of hitting the back of the net. Another popular football betting market is the winner and both teams to score market.
This allows you to back who will win and whether or not you believe that both teams will get on the scoreboard. This market amalgamates two other markets (match winner market and both teams to score market), which allows you to back your choice at slightly longer odds than if you backed each choice in the separate markets.
Which Bookmaker Bonus is Best for my MLS Bets?
There are so many different bonuses out there that it can become quite difficult to know exactly which one is best for you. These bonuses range from free bets, matched deposits, acca insurance, risk free bets and everything in-between.
However, of the ones we have seen that are currently available, you should try to make the most out of bet365’s up to £100 matched deposit (which will see you given a certain amount from bet365 depending on what you initially deposit up to £100). This type of bonus can be difficult to get your head around, but it provides both novice and experienced bettors with the opportunity to deposit as little or as much as they want, giving you a good amount of control over what you get when signing up.
Compare Odds For the MLS
Being able to compare odds is hugely important when it comes to finding the best betting sites to bet with. That is why utilising our live odds feature can help you to ensure that you are always getting the longest odds, rather than simply betting with your favoured bookie and then missing out on nailing a bet with longer MLS odds with our betting tips.
MLS 2023 Overview
At the time of writing, the competition is so open that any side could battle to the play-offs before winning the competition in the grand final. LAFC and Philadelphia have impressed us so far, while last season’s champions New York City cannot be discounted either. Ensure you find the best MLS predictions to utilise with your hard-earned cash, with the competition proving to be one that provides a fierce battle right across the tournament, meaning that there is value to be found regardless of who you bet on.
Remember though, the play-offs are always such a lottery that a side could go into the final rounds having won 34 out of 34 before then losing in the play-offs and being knocked out of the competition.
Keep a close eye on form and the circumstances leading up to the final few games, and ensure you back the best MLS prediction to ensure you nail your bets o
