MLS picks, predictions, odds and schedule for Wednesday, September 18

As the end of the MLS regular season approaches, 26 teams are preparing to face off in the penultimate round of midweek fixtures.

Atlanta United, MLS Cup champions in 2018, remain outside the playoff places ahead of their home clash with Inter Miami on Wednesday night.

The Eastern Conference leaders are already assured of their playoff place and remain on course to clinch the Supporters Shield as holders of the best regular season record.

That clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be just one of many crucial ones on the upcoming slate. Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Union will fight for a playoff spot against New York City FC, and Minnesota United will look to hold onto their postseason place against FC Cincinnati.

Here's our look ahead to the midweek action, alongside our expert picks and predictions.

MLS schedule - Wednesday, September 18

Match	Time	Venue
Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami CF	7:30 PM ET	Mercedes-Benz Stadium
New England Revolution vs. CF Montreal	7:30 PM ET	Gilette Stadium
New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union	7:30 PM ET	Yankee Stadium
Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew	7:30 PM ET	BMO Field
Orlando City SC vs. Charlotte FC	8:15 PM ET	Inter&Co Stadium
Houston Dynamo vs. Vancouver Whitecaps	8:30 PM ET	Shell Energy Stadium
Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids	8:30 PM ET	Children's Mercy Park
Minnesota United vs. FC Cincinnati	8:30 PM ET	Allianz Field
Nashville SC vs. Chicago Fire	8:30 PM ET	GEODIS Park
Real Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas	9:30 PM ET	America First Field
Los Angeles FC vs. Austin FC	10:30 PM ET	BMO Stadium
Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy	10:30 PM ET	Providence Park
Seattle Sounders FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes	10:30 PM ET	Lumen Field

MLS Odds - Wednesday, September 18

Home	Tie	Away
Atlanta United +155	+280	Inter Miami CF +145
New England Revolution -125	+260	CF Montreal +320
New York City FC -143	+320	Philadelphia Union +310
Toronto FC +220	+220	Columbus Crew -106
Orlando City FC -143	+290	Charlotte FC +350
Houston Dynamo -138	+300	Vancouver Whitecaps +310
Sporting Kansas City +115	+270	Colorado Rapids +200
Minnesota United +130	+260	FC Cincinnati +180
Nashville SC +115	+250	Chicago Fire +220
Real Salt Lake -150	+300	FC Dallas +375
Los Angeles FC -264	+350	Austin FC +700
Portland Timbers +110	+270	LA Galaxy +210
Seattle Sounders FC -239	+450	San Jose Earthquakes +475

MLS betting picks & predictions - Wednesday, September 18

Chicago Fire to win vs. Nashville SC (+220)

Nashville halted an eight-game losing skid at the weekend with a surprise road win over Atlanta United, but they could fall back to earth with a bump against the Chicago Fire.

The Coyotes have lost their last four games at GEODIS Park, including a 2-0 defeat to a struggling Austin FC side when they last played in front of their home fans.

Only two clubs have scored fewer goals than Austin FC, and Nashville’s dismal total of 28 goals from 28 games gives them the lowest goals-per-game ratio in the MLS. 

Chicago are coming off a 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls that keeps their faint playoff hopes alive.

The Fire limited the Red Bulls to only two shots on target despite coach Frank Klopas being forced into a defensive reshuffle when Rafael Czichos picked up an injury in the warm-up.

Klopas’ side have been competitive on the road recently, drawing 2-2 with New York City and beating the second-placed side in the East, FC Cincinnati 1-0, either side of a narrow 2-1 loss to conference leaders Inter Miami. 

Those results suggest they can claim victory against a team that has lost thee and drawn one of their last four midweek fixtures.

Seattle Sounders to win to nil vs. San Jose Earthquakes (+150)

The Sounders extended their superb late summer form with a 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.

That made it nine wins, one draw and two defeats in their last 12 games, meaning they have taken as many points as Inter Miami over the last dozen fixtures.

The Sounders are very strong at Lumen Field, where they have won six of their last seven matches and are very tight at the back.

Seattle can keep a third clean sheet in a row and a fourth in their last five at home when they face an Earthquakes side that have failed to register a goal in three of their last four road matches.

Over 3.5 goals in Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy (-125)

One of Wednesday's late games is a mouthwatering clash that sees playoff-chasing Portland Timbers host Western Conference leaders LA Galaxy.

The prospects of this matchup featuring a few goals looks good given there has been an average of 4.5 goals per game across Portland’s last 10 matches in all competitions and the Galaxy are coming off an impressive 4-2 win over Los Angeles FC in El Trafico.

Nine of the visitors’ 14 away MLS matches this season have featured at least three goals and these midweek rounds often seem to have more goals in them than the weekend fixtures.

It may be worth taking the Over 3.5 option in the total goals market here.

Read the latest MLS news on site.

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.