MLS Picks, Predictions, Odds and Schedule for Saturday, August 24

After the Leagues Cup took center stage for the majority of August, MLS returns to draw the focus this weekend and a number of mouth-watering matchups are set to take place.

Before the break, LA Galaxy maintained their slender advantage over rivals LAFC at the top of the Western Conference with a 3-2 victory over Portland Timbers, while Inter Miami increased the gap over second placed FC Cincinnati to five points with a 2-1 win against Chicago Fire.

Here is a look ahead to Saturday's action along with our expert picks and predictions.

MLS Schedule - Saturday, August 24

Minnesota vs. Seattle	6:30 PM ET	Allianz Field
D.C. United vs. Dallas	7:30 PM ET	Audi Field
Montreal vs. New England	7:30 PM ET	Stade Saputo
New York City vs. Chicago	7:30 PM ET	Citi Field
Inter Miami vs. Cincinnati	7:30 PM ET	Chase Stadium
Charlotte vs. NY Red Bulls	7:30 PM ET	Bank of America Stadium
Sporting KC vs. Orlando	8:30 PM ET	Children's Mercy Park
Houston vs. Toronto	8:30 PM ET	Shell Energy Stadium
Nashville vs. Austin	8:30 PM ET	GEODIS Park
Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose	9:30 PM ET	America First Field
LA Galaxy vs. Atlanta	10:30 PM ET	Dignity Health Sports Park
Portland vs. St.Louis	10:30 PM ET	Providence Park

MLS odds - Saturday, August 24

Home	Tie	Away
Minnesota +155	+240	Seattle +155
D.C. United -134	+250	Dallas +310
Montreal -112	+275	New England +250
New York City -154	+310	Chicago +310
Inter Miami +100	+230	Cincinnati +240
Charlotte +130	+225	NY Red Bulls +187
Sporting KC +140	+260	Orlando +150
Houston -154	+275	Toronto +350
Nashville +105	+275	Austin +200
Real Salt Lake -264	+350	San Jose +550
LA Galaxy -143	+290	Atlanta +300
Portland -163	+260	St. Louis +375

MLS picks & predictions - Saturday, August 24

Inter Miami to win and Both Teams to Score vs. FC Cincinnatti (+240)

The premier fixture on Saturday is undoubtedly in the Eastern Conference as the top two go head-to-head and Inter Miami can further their advantage at the top of the division with victory.

The Herons have been dominant at Chase Stadium in recent weeks, winning each of their last four home matches in all competitions, and they boast the best home record in the Eastern Conference with 27 points accrued here all season.

Cincinnati meanwhile have suffered a sharp downturn in form with defeats in each of their last three MLS matches. They did thrash Miami 6-1 in the reverse fixture earlier this season, however this victory did come against a Herons outfit that was without star players Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi through Copa America duties.

While Messi is still nursing an ankle injury and may not feature, Suarez is back available for the hosts and this star quality should see them take all three points on Saturday. However, Miami have kept just one clean sheet at home across their last 14 in all competitions and so the visitors will be expected to get on the scoresheet themselves.

Under 2.5 goals in Nashville vs. Austin (-106)

Both Nashville and Austin have struggled for points and goals in recent weeks and so a low-scoring encounter could be expected at GEODIS Park.

The Coyotes have lost each of their last six MLS matches as they tumble out of the play-off positions and they have also failed to score more than once in any of their last six home matches in all competitions.

Austin's form has been marginally better with four points accrued from a possible 15 from their last five league fixtures, however their scoring form on the road has been subject to scrutiny - scoring just six goals and failing to net more than once away from home in the MLS all season.

With both sides misfiring, a price of -106 for fewer than three goals looks fair.

Both Teams to Score in Charlotte vs. NY Red Bulls (-150)

Two sides firmly in the mix for the play-offs face off in the Eastern Conference and a tight encounter is expected between Charlotte and NY Red Bulls.

The Crown have been held to draws in three of their last five MLS matches at the Bank of America Stadium and each of their last five league games have also seen goals at both ends.

The Red Bulls also cannot buy a win in the MLS, with four draws from their last five in the league seeing Sandro Schwarz's men fall away from the top two in the Eastern Conference.

Each of their last three league fixtures have seen winners in the both teams to score market while the same is also true for each of the last four head-to-head meetings with Charlotte and this trend could be set to continue on Saturday.

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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.