Saturday's Major League Soccer predictions including Salt Lake vs. Houston

Los Angeles vs. Earthquakes (Saturday, 11.00pm)

Leading the way in the MLS Western Conference, Los Angeles FC welcome San Jose Earthquakes to Banc of California Stadium on Saturday.

Just days after both sides were eliminated from the US Open Cup, the Californian counterparts convene in LA, where the hosts hope to stretch their two-point lead at the top of the standings.

We say: Los Angeles FC 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes

A recent blip in form will worry Los Angeles, and yet another derby defeat will certainly sting, but the benefit of home advantage and their opponents' leaky defence should help them secure maximum points on Saturday.

Able to produce goals from a variety of sources, the hosts should score more than once and reaffirm their grip on first place in the standings.

Atlanta vs. Columbus Crew (Sunday, 12.00am)

Following three matches without a win, Atlanta United aim for victory over MLS Eastern Conference rivals Columbus Crew when the teams meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.

Having both enjoyed a midweek break due to early US Open Cup exits, the pair will kick off separated by just three points in the standings, with the hosts currently holding the upper hand.

We say: Atlanta United 1-0 Columbus Crew

There is little reason to suspect that Columbus can find their scoring touch on recent evidence, and even a single strike could be enough to seal maximum points for the hosts on Saturday.

Atlanta's attacking lineup can be formidable on their day, and even a spate of injuries will not deny them victory over an ailing opposition side.

NY Red Bulls vs. DC United (Sunday, 12.00am)

New York Red Bulls will be seeking to avoid a fifth successive MLS game without a victory when they play host to DC United in the Big Apple on Sunday.

The visitors have failed to win any of their last three league games on the road, while the Red Bulls have not won a league match on home soil since October last year.

We say: New York Red Bulls 2-1 DC United

Both sides will view this fixture as a winnable game as they look turn their fortunes around in the league and climb the table.

Goals are to be expected at the Red Bull Arena and we can see the hosts building on their MLS Cup success in midweek by securing all three points on Sunday.

Toronto vs. Chicago Fire (Sunday, 12.00am)

The bottom two teams in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer will square off at BMO Field on Saturday as Toronto and the Chicago Fire aim to end their extended winless runs.

TFC are without a win in six consecutive MLS contests, following a 2-2 draw versus DC United, while Chicago are dead-last in the Eastern Conference and are now winless in 10 straight games in all competitions.

We say: Toronto 2- 1 Chicago Fire

Mistakes have plagued both of these teams so far this season, but Toronto have shown a lot more fight than Chicago over their slump, while they seem to have more chemistry than the Fire, which we believe will be enough to earn them their first victory since April.

Montreal vs. Cincinnati (Sunday, 12.30am)

Two MLS teams seeking to bounce back from defeat last time out will lock horns at the Saputo Stadium on Sunday as CF Montreal play host to FC Cincinnati.

Montreal will be looking to claim their fourth home league win in five matches, while the visitors could extend their unbeaten away run to five games if they can avoid defeat in Quebec.

We say: CF Montreal 2-2 FC Cincinnati

Sunday's encounter is a difficult one to predict considering the last three results between the two teams; a goalless draw in August 2021 was sandwiched in between 5-4 and 4-3 victories for Montreal.

Both sides will fancy their chances of claiming maximum points at the Saputo Stadium, but as there is little to separate them, they may have to settle for an entertaining score draw.

New England vs. Philadelphia (Sunday, 12.30am)

New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union face off at the Gillette Stadium on Sunday in round 14 of the 2021-22 Major League Soccer season.

The sides head into this one off the back of contrasting results last time out and the game promises to be an absorbing affair.

We say: New England Revolution 1-2 Philadelphia Union

The teams have had little problem finding the back of the net so far so we expect goals at both ends in this one. That said, the visitors boast a significantly superior defence and we are backing them to emerge triumphant, albeit by only a narrow margin.

Orlando City vs. Dallas (Sunday, 12.30am)

The teams positioned third in the Major League Soccer Eastern and Western Conferences respectively will square off on Saturday, as Orlando City host FC Dallas.

After 13 games of the season, the visitors sit on 22 points, while their hosts have just one fewer, and both will look to strengthen their standing in the playoff places.

We say: Orlando City 2-1 Dallas

The two teams' equally positive starts to the campaign make this an intriguing counter that could go either way, but we see the visitors' recent struggles tipping the balance in favour of Orlando.

Dallas should certainly cause their opponents problems, but, with home advantage, Pareja's men have the quality to take all three points.

Inter Miami vs. Portland (Sunday, 1.00am)

Fresh off the back of crashing out of the US Open Cup, Inter Miami go head to head with Portland Timbers at the DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors, on the other hand, head into the weekend without a win in any of their last five away games and will be looking to end this dry spell.

We say: Inter Miami 2-1 Portland Timbers

Inter Miami will head into the weekend looking to restore some pride following their gruesome cup exit last time out. They take on a Portland Timbers side who have struggled for results on the road this season and we are tipping them to claim all three points.

Minnesota Utd vs. NY City (Sunday, 1.00am)

Western Conference outfit Minnesota United welcome high-flying Eastern Conference side New York City FC to the Allianz Field on Sunday, when the visitors could rocket to the summit of their division.

Currently sitting second, New York City are just one point behind the leaders, while Minnesota have been more inconsistent at the start of this campaign, leaving them in ninth place in the Western Conference.

We say: Minnesota United 0-1 New York City FC

New York have not played enough away games to get a true sense of how they are doing on their travels this year, but while in good form they should make the most of Sunday's opportunity to improve their record on the road.

Despite these two teams usually being involved in high-scoring matches than a 1-0 result, Sunday could be a tight game given the visitors unfamiliarity away from home, and Minnesota's inconsistencies.

Colorado vs. Nashville (Sunday, 2.00am)

Colorado Rapids have the chance to go above Nashville SC in the MLS Western Conference standings with a win on Saturday against the visitors.

Nashville are currently sixth, occupying the penultimate playoff position, just one point ahead of Colorado who are ninth, level with Houston Dynamo in that final spot.

We say: Colorado Rapids 1-1 Nashville SC

These are two sides searching for consistent form and are very evenly matched in terms of quality. With good defences and struggles up front, it is likely that a low-scoring draw will be the outcome.

Kansas vs. Vancouver (Sunday, 2.00am)

Sporting Kansas City and the Vancouver Whitecaps will meet at Children's Mercy Park on Saturday for the first time since the 2021 Major League Soccer postseason, when the Wizards won by a score of 3-1.

Vancouver won their first game of the 2022 season against KC, 1-0 back in April at BC Place Stadium, though they have not beaten them away from home since 2017.

We say: Sporting Kansas City 1-2 Vancouver Whitecaps

They have the joint-worst record in MLS, but Vancouver have looked a lot better in recent matches and could be due for a break.

Kansas City have struggled with consistency all season, and have not looked nearly as dangerous in the final third as a season ago, so we expect the Caps to end their road woes this weekend.

Salt Lake vs. Houston (Sunday, 2.30am)

Two in-form teams will play against each other on Saturday as Houston Dynamo visit Real Salt Lake in the MLS Western Conference.

Salt Lake are just four points off conference leaders Los Angeles F.C., while Houston currently occupy the final playoff position in seventh.

We say: Real Salt Lake 0-1 Houston Dynamo

Despite Salt Lake being above Houston in the standings, the home side struggle for goals which is not a good sign considering they play one of the league's strongest defences on Saturday.

Therefore, this should play a key factor in the game, which is why Houston might upset the home side and edge the victory.