Sunday's Major League Soccer predictions including New York Red Bulls vs. New York City

Atlanta vs. Orlando City (Sunday, 8.00pm)

Atlanta United are back in the MLS playoff picture, trailing the final spot by three points as they host Orlando City on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Five Stripes ended a four-match winless run on Wednesday, beating Real Salt Lake 2-1, while the Lions are fifth in the Eastern Conference, drawing the Colorado Rapids 1-1 in midweek.

We say: Atlanta United 1-1 Orlando City

Overall, Atlanta possesses more quality than Orlando, but the Lions have done well to neutralize opposing attacks, so we expect them to show discipline and structure against an aggressive Five Stripes team, who have not proven that they can remain consistent from one match to another.

NY Red Bulls vs. NY City (Sunday, 10.00pm)

The first Hudson River Derby of the 2022 Major League Soccer season takes place at Red Bull Arena on Sunday as the hometown New York Red Bulls host New York City FC.

Both teams are in contention for first place in the Eastern Conference as the Red Bulls are third with 33 points, while the Boys in Blue are just two points ahead of them in second.

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

These are two evenly matched teams on paper, having both allowed the same amount of goals, though Red Bull Arena is the deciding factor in this one, as the home side have settled into quite the groove there, and when that home crowd is on you, it can be highly challenging to compete against them and that high press.

Columbus Crew vs. Cincinnati (Monday, 12.30am)

Something must surely give when two in-form MLS sides go head to head at the Mapfre Stadium on Sunday evening, with Columbus Crew hosting FC Cincinnati.

The hosts have not lost in their last seven outings, and welcome a Cincinnati side that have struggled to register all three points of late, but have also enjoyed an impressive unbeaten spell.

We say: Columbus Crew 2-2 FC Cincinnati

Both of these sides have found themselves amongst the goals at both ends of the pitch of late, and for that reason, we are predicting for this to be an open and entertaining affair on Sunday.

Although it appears that something must give between two sides on impressive unbeaten runs, because of this, we are going for a draw at the Mapfre Stadium as a result of the two in-form teams cancelling each other out.

Nashville vs. Los Angeles (Monday, 1.30am)

Second meets third in the Western Conference on Sunday evening as Nashville SC play host to Los Angeles FC.

While the visitors hold a nine-point advantage and game in hand over their hosts, LAFC will not want to lose ground on leaders Austin FC.

We say: Nashville SC 1-1 Los Angeles FC

While neither team can claim to be in their best form, that should only make this contest even more competitive. Although LAFC will have their eyes on maximum points, we feel that a draw is the most likely outcome, one which will satisfy both clubs.

Salt Lake vs. Kansas (Monday, 2.30am)

Real Salt Lake will put its undefeated streak at Rio Tinto Stadium to the test on Sunday when they host Sporting Kansas City.

Claret and Cobalt are one of only two MLS sides who have not lost a home encounter this year, while SKC matched their longest unbeaten run of the season on Wednesday, drawing Minnesota United 1-1.

We say: Real Salt Lake 2-0 Sporting Kansas City

As a unit, RSL have more consistency in all facets of the game, while their backline will likely to key on Johnny Russell, and they should be able to find a way through what has been, for the most part, a leaky KC backline.

Earthquakes vs. Houston (Monday, 2.30am)

San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo square off on Sunday night sitting on the same points in the Western Conference standings.

Occupying 11th and 12th place respectively, neither team have had a good season, but they sit just five points adrift of the playoff spots.

We say: San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 Houston Dynamo

All things considered, a draw will not benefit either side, leading us to believe that this will turn out to be an entertaining contest. Houston will be confident that they are capable of prevailing with maximum points, but we feel that the Earthquakes will extend their recent run with a victory of their own.

Portland vs. Vancouver (Monday, 3.30am)

A pair of arch-rivals in the thick of a tight playoff race in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer will face off on Sunday as the Portland Timbers welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps to Providence Park.

A victory for either side could catapult them into a postseason position, with the Timbers and Caps one and two points back of that final spot respectively.

We say: Portland Timbers 3-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

The Timbers look like a different team since the international break and are playing with a lot more fire than we saw at the start of the season, proving that they are still a tough team to play against.

With Cubas likely sidelined for this encounter, that should allow the Timbers to play through the middle a lot easier and find their share of scoring opportunities, which we believe will be enough to earn them three points.