Colorado Rapids and Austin FC meet in a crucial Western Conference clash on Saturday, with just two points separating the sides as both look to revive their playoff hopes after inconsistent starts to the MLS season.
Colorado sit 13th with 19 points from 17 matches, while Austin are one place and two points behind in 14th.
With the race for the top nine still tightly packed, victory for either side would provide a significant boost and Austin could leapfrog the Rapids with all three points.
Neither team has been able to build sustained momentum.
Colorado has won just two of their last five league games, although both victories came with clean sheets, while Austin has also picked up only one win in that span and continue to struggle away from home, failing to score in each of their last three road matches while conceding 11 goals.
Recent meetings suggest another closely fought contest. Six of the last seven head-to-head clashes have produced fewer than three goals, while Colorado's last seven MLS matches have all been decided by a single-goal margin.
Even Austin's recent defeats have often been more competitive than the scorelines suggest, with goalkeeper Brad Stuver leading the MLS in saves per game despite failing to keep a clean sheet in his last six appearances.
With little separating these Western Conference rivals in the standings or overall quality, another tense, hard-fought encounter looks likely, making the tie the standout angle, with a 1-1 scoreline an appealing forecast.
Colorado Rapids vs. Austin FC betting picks and predictions
Tie (+280)
There is little to separate these Western Conference rivals, making the tie an appealing option.
Colorado has won only two of their last five league matches, while Austin has also picked up just one victory during the same period despite an encouraging win over Seattle before their defeat to Houston.
Neither side has shown enough consistency to justify strong favoritism.
Colorado have kept games close all season, with each of their last seven league matches decided by a one-goal margin, while six of the last seven meetings between these two teams have produced fewer than three goals.
Austin can climb above the Rapids with a victory, but avoiding defeat may be the more realistic objective for both teams in what promises to be a tense, low-margin contest.
Under 2.5 goals (+125)
Goals could be at a premium despite Austin's recent defensive struggles.
Six of the last seven meetings between these clubs have produced fewer than three goals and Colorado has built recent success on defensive discipline rather than attacking flair, recording two shutout victories in their last six league matches.
Austin has failed to score in each of their last three away MLS matches, while Colorado has won two of their last three home games by 1-0 scorelines.
Stuver has yet to keep a clean sheet in six matches, but the Austin goalkeeper continues to lead MLS with 4.8 saves per game, giving his side every chance of staying competitive.
Another cagey encounter between two evenly matched teams looks likely.
Paxten Aaronson to score anytime (+240)
Paxten Aaronson offers excellent value to find the net for Colorado.
The midfielder has enjoyed an impressive campaign with four goals and four assists, regularly arriving late into dangerous positions while also creating chances for teammates.
Austin's away form should provide encouragement. Los Verdes have failed to score in three straight road games and have conceded 11 goals across those matches, while they have not kept a clean sheet in six league fixtures overall.
With Rafael Navarro likely to occupy Austin's center-backs after scoring eight league goals already this season, Aaronson should benefit from the extra space around the penalty area and has every chance of adding to his goal tally.
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Colorado Rapids vs. Austin FC odds
Colorado Rapids | -138 |
Tie | +280 |
Austin FC | +333 |
Colorado Rapids vs. Austin FC player props
Anytime goalscorer
Rafael Navarro (Colorado Rapids) | +105 |
Darren Yapi (Colorado Rapids) | +150 |
Paxten Aaronson (Colorado Rapids) | +240 |
Brandon Vazquez (Austin FC) | +187 |
Myrto Uzuni (Austin FC) | +250 |
Facundo Torres (Auston FC) | +300 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
