MLS: Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids Preview, Odds, Prediction

Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids promise a good clash at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Both sides are inconsistent with the not that the hosts have better results than the dazzled guests, who didn’t win in the previous four games. As time goes by, the playoff chances for the Rapids are getting less and less promising, and they need a radical change in their performances in order to reach the postseason. As for the hosts, the playoffs are a reality for hosts, but they will need to keep posting wins at home. So far, RSL didn’t lose in Sandy this year.

Preview

Real Salt Lake (+110) is excellent at Rio Tinto Stadium. In eight games this year, Pablo Mastroeni’s unit won six and posted two draws. They are the only undefeated team at home in the West, with 20 points from those events, while LAFC has 26 but in eleven events in front of its crowd.

Still, they are without a win in the past two games, playing 0-0 at Rio Tinto against Columbus Crew, and with a loss to Minnesota United on the road, 3-2. RSL has only one win in the previous four games.

When at home, RSL tends to play rough defense, having three clean sheets in a row, and with five of the most recent six events at this stadium ending with just one side netting. It is the main reason for all the great results in Utah this season.

Colorado Rapids (+220) are in terrible shape, with four in a row in which they haven’t won and with only three wins over the most recent 10 games. Colorado has three losses and a draw in the latest four events. What makes things even worse is the fact that their defense allowed three goals in each of those losses.

The Rapids and the Earthquakes are by far the worst team on the road in the West, with only two points in eight events. Colorado posted two draws and six defeats, scoring just five goals, the least in the conference, and allowing 17.

Last four road games Robin Fraser’s unit played were all with moderate efficiency, meaning two or three goals. Fraser is under pressure to change things quickly, and if he doesn’t do that in the next week or two, we just might see him out.

Latest News

Young Diego Luna is with the U-20 USA team, and he is out. Zack Farnsworth is injured the same as Damir Kreilach, and Bobby Wood. Bret Haisley is questionable, and there are certain chances to see him in the protocol.

Braian Galvan and Oliver Larraz are out for the guests due to injuries.

Head to Head Games

The most recent game was in April this year, and it ended 1-1 in Colorado.

Prediction

The hosts’ win will be our pick here. First of all, we don’t know why the bookies set such odds on the hosts, who are way better at the moment. This is a chance for us to snatch a solid profit, so we recommend this pick, with the odds on it at +110.

Pick: Real Salt Lake wins +110