MLS picks, predictions, odds and schedule for Wednesday, July 17

The Copa America and the European Championship have come to an end, so the focus returns MLS as it heads toward the business end of the season.

There is still plenty to be decided in both conferences with FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami leading the way in the East. The Herons were dealt a hammer blow as Lionel Messi limped off in the Copa America final and Cincinnati will be hoping to capitalise.

In the West, Real Salt Lake split the two Los Angeles teams at the top of the conference, with all three teams level on 43 points as it stands. LAFC host RSL in one of the highlights of the night’s games.

Here's our look ahead to Wednesday’s action, alongside our expert picks and predictions.

MLS schedule - Wednesday, July 17

Atlanta United vs. N.Y. City FC	7:30 PM ET	Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Columbus Crew vs. Charlotte FC	7:30 PM ET	Lower.com Field
FC Cincinnati vs. Chicago Fire	7:30 PM ET	TQL Stadium
Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC	7:30 PM ET	Chase Stadium
N.Y. Red Bulls vs. CF Montreal	7:30 PM ET	Red Bull Arena
Philadelphia Union vs. N.E. Revolution	7:30 PM ET	Subaru Park
FC Dallas vs. Austin FC	8:30 PM ET	Toyota Stadium
Minnesota United vs. D.C. United	8:30 PM ET	Allianz Field
Nashville vs. Orlando City	8:30 PM ET	Geodis Park
LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids	10:30 PM ET	Dignity Health Sports Park
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo	10:30 PM ET	PayPal Park
Seattle Sounders vs. St. Louis City	10:30 PM ET	Lumen Field
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Sporting KC	10:30 PM ET	Dick's Sporting Goods Park
LAFC vs. Real Salt Lake	10:45 PM ET	BMO Stadium

MLS Odds - Wednesday, July 17

Home	Tie	Away
Atlanta United +125	+250	N.Y. City FC +210
Columbus Crew -188	+320	Charlotte FC +500
FC Cincinnati -163	+350	Chicago Fire +375
Inter Miami -125	+280	Toronto FC +275
N.Y. Red Bulls -239	+375	CF Montreal +600
Philadelphia Union -125	+320	N.E. Revolution +280
FC Dallas -106	+275	Austin FC +260
Minnesota United -110	+275	D.C. United +275
Nashville +162	+250	Orlando City +155
LA Galaxy -106	+280	Colorado Rapids +250
San Jose Earthquakes +190	+270	Houston Dynamo +125
Seattle Sounders -150	+300	St. Louis City +400
Vancouver Whitecaps -143	+320	Sporting KC +320
LAFC -167	+350	Real Salt Lake +375

MLS picks & predictions - Wednesday, July 17

Inter Miami to win and both teams to score (+225)

Inter Miami have managed to continue to pick up wins even without key men Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, who have been playing in Copa America. On Wednesday, the Herons face Toronto FC, who sit in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference.

An injury looks set to rule Messi out for some time so they may have to get used to playing without their talisman.

Miami has been one of the most open teams in MLS, managing to outscore their opponents rather than having a solid defensive record.

Both sides have found the net in Inter Miami's last eight MLS games and the same looks likely to happen when they host Toronto, who have netted in six of their last eight games.

The Herons have won and both teams have scored in four of their last five MLS games and a repeat of that looks likely.

Tie or D.C. United (-120)

This matchup - D.C. United vs. Minnesota United - pits two teams against each other with both having struggled of late.

Minnesota are winless in their last eight games and may suffer another poor result when they host D.C.

Christian Benteke has netted 14 goals for the visitors this season and they come into this game fresh from a 2-1 win over Nashville last time out.

Side with the away team to at least avoid defeat in this one.

Seattle Sounders to win (-150)

Seattle Sounders are one of the hottest teams in MLS at the moment, winning five of their last six games to rise up the rankings in the Western Conference. They face St. Louis City FC on Wednesday.

The Sounders should be able to continue that run when they host a St. Louis side whose last two MLS games have ended in defeat.

The visitors have registered just one win from their last 12 games and are worth opposing once more here.

Over 3.5 Goals LAFC v Real Salt Lake (+120)

Two of the top three in the Western Conference take each other on as LAFC host Real Salt Lake in what looks set to be an entertaining affair.

No team has had more MLS wins with four or more goals than Real Salt Lake this season and they have netted 48 times in 23 games, the most of any team in the West.

Los Angeles are no pushovers in attacking areas, scoring 44 times in 22 outings, and they can continue their heavy-scoring ways here.

Side with Over 3.5 Goals in a wild west heavyweight clash.

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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.