Minnesota United and Juarez FC meet in their opening match of the Leagues Cup on Wednesday, with all 36 teams in action this week as the tournament's sixth edition gets underway.
Neither side is fancied to challenge for the title, with Minnesota among a cluster of teams priced as joint-10th favorites at +2000, while Juarez FC are rank outsiders at +10000, with just four clubs below them in the outright market.
However, with the tournament yet to start, both clubs will go into this match knowing a win here will give them the perfect start to make a mockery of their starting price.
Minnesota head into this match as clear favorites, with home advantage playing a large part in that. However, they do not go into the clash in particularly good form. While they have lost just once in their previous five MLS matches, it is seven games since they last won, including three ties in their last five fixtures.
Juarez FC are not pulling up any trees in Mexico either; they have lost all three matches of the new Liga MX campaign and sit rock bottom of the standings, scoring just once and conceding seven.
Based on Juarez's dreadful start to the season and Minnesota United's home advantage, backing the hosts to come out on top in this fixture looks like the smart play.
Minnesota United vs. Juarez FC betting picks and predictions
Minnesota United to win (-134)
While neither side heads into this match in top form, Juarez's poor start to their domestic campaign, combined with the travel aspect of this clash, gives Minnesota the upper hand.
Since the resumption of action in the MLS after a break for the World Cup, The Loons are unbeaten on home soil, tying both their matches at Allianz Field.
Backing Cameron Knowles' team to take all three points looks a solid option in this opening-round clash.
Both teams to score - no (+110)
Juarez FC have managed to get on the scoresheet just once in their opening three fixtures of the Liga MX season, so backing the home side to keep a shutout on their way to victory appeals.
The Loons have not conceded from open play in their past two matches, with San Diego needing a penalty to secure a point in their last outing.
Minnesota's recent matches have been low-scoring affairs, with just one of their last four seeing more than 2.5 goals scored. However, the under 2.5 goals market does not offer great value for this clash, so backing the hosts to stay solid at the back looks a strong play.
Kelvin Yeboah to score anytime (+125)
Italian forward Kelvin Yeboah is the focal point of the Minnesota attack, with twice as many goals as any of his teammates.
Yeboah's eight in 16 MLS starts have come from 30 shots, and with the quality of Juarez FC, the striker is likely to get plenty of opportunities in this match.
The striker is also his side's penalty taker, so should their attacking play result in a spot kick, his chances of a goal increase dramatically.
Yeboah was used as a substitute in Minnesota's last outing but is likely to be restored to the starting lineup for this clash either as a lone striker or to play alongside Mamadou Dieng.
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Minnesota United vs Juarez FC odds
Minnesota Utd | -134 |
Tie | +280 |
Juarez FC | +310 |
Minnesota Utd vs Juarez FC player props
Anytime Goalscorer
Kelvin Yeboah (Minnesota Utd) | +125 |
Joaquin Pereyra (Minnesota Utd) | +210 |
Tomas Chancalay (Minnesota Utd) | +210 |
Oscar Estupinan (Juarez FC) | +1757 |
Jose Luis Rodriguez (Juarez FC) | +375 |
Ramon Monchu (Juarez FC) | +650 |
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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.
