Saturday's Major League Soccer predictions including Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire

Atlanta vs. Columbus Crew (Sunday, 12.30am)

Two teams whose forms could hardly be any more contrasting go head-to-head at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday as Atlanta United entertain the challenge of Columbus Crew.

The hosts are without a victory in their last five games across all competitions, while their visitors will be looking to make it seven games unbeaten this weekend.

We say: Atlanta United 1-3 Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew have enjoyed the better of this fixture of late and given their form heading into this one, we can see them coming out on top in the end.

Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire (Sunday, 12.30am)

With a victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami can maintain their narrow lead atop the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer.

A 3-1 victory for the Herons on Wednesday against Toronto, combined with a 1-0 triumph by the Fire over FC Cincinnati, has Miami back in the Supporters' Shield lead, with the Fire two points below the Eastern Conference playoff line.

We say: Inter Miami 2-1 Chicago Fire

This game may be closer than many might think, but Miami are more than comfortable in these kind of matches, winning seven times this year by a single goal.

Montreal vs. Toronto (Sunday, 12.30am)

In the second instalment of the 2024 Canadian Classique, CF Montreal will take on Toronto in MLS action at Saputo Stadium on Saturday.

A come-from-behind 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday lifted Le CFM into the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, even with the Reds on 27 points, with the latter losing 3-1 to Inter Miami.

We say: CF Montreal 1-0 Toronto

Toronto have continually shot themselves in the foot with mental errors, and we expect to see a confident Montreal side eventually capitalise on that this weekend.

New England vs. Dallas (Sunday, 12.30am)

Round 25 of the 2024 Major League Soccer season sees New England Revolution and Dallas face off at the Gillette Stadium on Saturday.

The home side were on the receiving end of a humiliating defeat last time out, while their visitors claimed a second victory on the bounce.

We say: New England Revolution 1-1 Dallas

New England Revolution have been poor at both ends of the pitch all-season long and Dallas will be looking to heap more misery this weekend. We are backing a share of the spoils with honours even at the end of the 90 minutes.

NY Red Bulls vs. Cincinnati (Sunday, 12.30am)

New York Red Bulls go in search of a first victory in five outings when they welcome FC Cincinnati to the Red Bull Arena on Saturday.

The visitors, on the other hand, make the journey aiming to avoid a third Major League Soccer defeat and get themselves back on track.

We say: New York Red Bulls 2-1 FC Cincinnati

The last four meetings between New York Red Bulls and Cincinnati have produced a combined 11 goals, and we can see another entertaining affair unfolding here. That said, we are backing the home side to get the job done, albeit by only a narrow margin.

Orlando City vs. NY City (Sunday, 12.30am)

New York City FC can claim consecutive victories against Orlando City in the same MLS regular season for the first time since 2018 when the two sides clash on Saturday at Inter & Co Stadium.

The Lions are coming off an impressive 3-0 triumph at Nashville SC earlier this week, moving them up to seventh in the Eastern Conference, four points below the Pigeons, who are fifth after erasing a two-goal deficit and claiming a 2-2 draw versus Atlanta United.

We say: Orlando City 2-1 New York City FC

New York City are winless in their last four MLS away matches, conceding multiple strikes in two consecutive road games, while the Lions are firing on all cylinders at the moment, which we believe will propel them to another triumph this weekend.

Philadelphia vs. Nashville (Sunday, 12.30am)

Off the back of a much-needed victory last time out, Philadelphia Union entertain the challenge of Nashville SC at Subaru Park on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the visitors head to Chesterfield seeking to end a barren run of results which has seen them lose each of their last five matches.

We say: Philadelphia Union 2-2 Nashville SC

Only Inter Miami have seen their matches produce more goals than Philadelphia Union this term, and we could be in for another goal fest this weekend. That said, we can also see the teams cancelling each other out to settle for a point apiece in the end.

Austin vs. Charlotte FC (Sunday, 1.30am)

Having struggled for consistency in recent weeks, Austin FC and Charlotte FC will be looking to pick up a morale-boosting result when they square off at the Q2 Stadium on Saturday.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides since July 2022, when the Verde and Black scrapped a 1-0 victory in North Carolina courtesy of a second-half strike from Venezuelan midfielder Daniel Pereira.

We say: Austin FC 1-1 Charlotte FC

Buoyed by their resilient display against the Crew, Charlotte will take on Austin with confidence as they look to strengthen their position in the playoff places. However, both sides are evenly matched on paper and we predict they will settle for a share of the spoils at the Q2 Stadium.

Kansas vs. St Louis City (Sunday, 1.30am)

St Louis City will be looking to snap their three-match losing streak when they visit the Children's Mercy Park to face Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.

With their Leagues Cup opener versus Chicago Fire on the horizon, the Wizards will be looking to pick up a morale-boosting result and make it three wins in three home games across all competitions.

We say: Sporting Kansas City 2-0 St Louis City

Following their narrow defeat against the Whitecaps, Sporting Kansas City will head into the weekend looking to quickly find their feet. The Wizards have been rock solid on home turf of late and we are backing them to see off St Louis City, who are yet to taste victory away from home this season.

Minnesota Utd vs. Earthquakes (Sunday, 1.30am)

Two sides who could do well with a win square off in the Western Conference as Minnesota United and San Jose Earthquakes go head to head at Allianz Field on Saturday.

The hosts have failed to taste victory in nine consecutive games while the Quakes head into the weekend without a win in 12 of their last 13 matches across all competitions since mid May.

We say: Minnesota United 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes

While Minnesota United have struggled for results in recent weeks, they head into Saturday's tie unbeaten in nine of their last 10 MLS games against San Jose Earthquakes. We predict Ramsay's men will find their feet this weekend against the Quakes, who have picked up just three points from a possible 36 since May 16.

Colorado vs. Salt Lake (Sunday, 2.30am)

Seeking to climb to the top of the Western Conference standings, Real Salt Lake visit Dick's Sporting Goods Park to take on Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

Having lost each of their last three home games in this fixture, Chris Armas's will head into the weekend looking to get one over the Claret and Cobalt and extend their unbeaten home streak to eight games.

We say: Colorado Rapids 2-1 Real Salt Lake

Looking at recent meetings between Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake, we anticipate an end-to-end affair at Dick's Sporting Goods Park with plenty of goalmouth action. While we expect Real Salt Lake to put up a fight, the Rapids have been near-impenetrable at home in recent weeks and we fancy them to secure all three points this weekend.

Vancouver vs. Houston (Sunday, 3.30am)

The surging Vancouver Whitecaps can stretch their unbeaten run to seven matches across all competitions when they host the Houston Dynamo in MLS action on Saturday at BC Place Stadium.

A 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City in midweek vaulted Vancouver up to fourth in the Western Conference, four points above Orange Crush, who are eighth following a 1-0 triumph versus the San Jose Earthquakes.

We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 Houston Dynamo

Throughout the campaign, the Caps have been deadly on the counter and on the faster surface at BC Place, we believe the Dynamo will have difficulty containing a side in fine form at the moment.

Seattle vs. Los Angeles (Sunday, 3.30am)

A six-match winning streak will be on the line for Seattle Sounders when they host high-flying Los Angeles FC at Lumen Field on Sunday.

The hosts are without a victory in their last seven meetings against the visitors, losing five and drawing the other two, which makes this fixture a tricky one for them.

We say: Seattle Sounders 1-1 Los Angeles FC

This is a tricky tie for both teams, as Seattle Sounders currently have the momentum, but LAFC have thrived in this fixture for the last couple of years and are one of the best sides in the league this year - which is why we are settling for a draw in this one.

LA Galaxy vs. Portland (Sunday, 3.45am)

Los Angeles Galaxy will be hoping to record another victory to maintain their position at the top of the Western Conference when they host Portland Timbers at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday.

The visitors, meanwhile, head into this fixture looking for a third consecutive win to solidify their place in the playoffs.

We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-2 Portland Timbers

Three of the last four meetings between these sides have ended in draws - this, coupled with both teams brimming with confidence and finding the net regularly, leads us to predict a high-scoring stalemate.