Wednesday's Major League Soccer predictions including Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami

New England vs. Montreal (Thursday, 12.30am)

Two teams outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture in Major League Soccer (MLS) will square off on Wednesday when the New England Revolution host CF Montreal at Gillette Stadium.

Over the weekend, the Revs dropped to the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 3-0 loss to Orlando City, while Le CFM are three points back of a post-season berth following a 2-1 triumph over Charlotte FC.

We say: New England Revolution 2-0 CF Montreal

Neither side have been particularly consistent, but the Revs have started to buy into the methods of Caleb Porter and against a disorganised Montreal defence, we expect a quality chance creator like Carles Gil will be able to unlock that backline.

NY City vs. Philadelphia (Thursday, 12.30am)

For the first time since 2018, New York City FC can sweep their MLS regular-season series with the Philadelphia Union when they host them on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

A 1-1 draw with DC United last Saturday dropped the Pigeons down to sixth in the Eastern Conference, while Philly are three points below the playoff line after suffering a 3-1 defeat versus Inter Miami.

We say: New York City FC 1-1 Philadelphia Union

Neither side have been convincing enough since the Leagues Cup concluded for us to believe either one has a decisive edge heading into this contest.

Toronto vs. Columbus Crew (Thursday, 12.30am)

Toronto can take another step towards securing a place in the MLS Cup playoffs when they welcome the reigning champions, the Columbus Crew, to BMO Field on Wednesday.

Thanks to a 2-1 win over Austin FC this past weekend, the Reds are five points above the Eastern Conference playoff line in eighth, while the Crew are third following a 0-0 draw with FC Cincinnati.

We say: Toronto 1-4 Columbus Crew

The Crew are rarely held in check, as we saw on Saturday, but they always seem to come back determined after a rough outing or two, and we expect them to take out their scoring frustrations on a leaky Toronto backline.

Atlanta vs. Inter Miami (Thursday, 12.30am)

Atlanta United can move above the Eastern Conference playoff line in Major League Soccer (MLS) when they host Inter Miami on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

A 2-0 defeat versus Nashville SC this past weekend has the Five Stripes two points below DC United with a game in hand, while the Herons are seven points clear of the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Supporters' Shield race, coming from behind to defeat the Philadelphia Union 3-1 on Saturday.

We say: Atlanta United 1-2 Inter Miami

Inter Miami looked unbeatable without Messi, and with him, they should be just as deadly and difficult to keep pace with for 90 minutes.

Orlando City vs. Charlotte FC (Thursday, 1.15am)

Two places separate Orlando City and Charlotte FC in the Eastern Conference going into Wednesday night's gameweek 32 MLS action at Inter&Co Stadium.

The Lions have found some recent form to leapfrog the visiting side, whose last league victory was in mid-July.

We say: Orlando City 2-1 Charlotte FC

Despite entering this fixture on a four-match winless run against Charlotte, Orlando's five-game undefeated sequence on home turf (four wins) means the hosts are backed to beat Smith's team.

Although the away side have a knack for scoring on their travels, underscored by finding the net in nine of their last 10 road matches, they could fall to back-to-back away losses against an in-form opponent.

Houston vs. Vancouver (Thursday, 1.30am)

Two sides separated by one point and one place in the top half of the Western Conference table lock go head to head on Wednesday as Houston Dynamo play host to Vancouver Whitecaps.

Having failed to win their last five visits to the Shell Energy Stadium, Vanni Sartini's men will head into the midweek clash looking to get one over the hosts and move level on points with second-placed Los Angeles FC.

We say: Houston Dynamo 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

With just one point separating Houston Dynamo and Vancouver Whitecaps, we expect both sides to go all out at the Shell Energy Stadium as they look to secure a potentially huge result in their playoff qualifying quest.

Buoyed by their stunning display against Real Salt Lake, we fancy Houston Dynamo to secure all three points on home turf, where they have lost just one league game since the start of May.

Kansas vs. Colorado (Thursday, 1.30am)

Lowly Sporting Kansas City are unfancied against Colorado Rapids heading into Wednesday night's gameweek 32 MLS match-up at Children's Mercy Park.

The Wizards can no longer make the top seven spots in the Western Conference to guarantee a playoff place, and they are underdogs against the section's third-placed outfit.

We say: Sporting Kansas City 2-2 Colorado Rapids

Despite their current position, Kansas' recent home form and attacking prowess make them a threat to any opponent.

Regardless, the recent performances of Mihailovic and Navarro in the attacking third for Colorado should prevent the away side from suffering a sixth road loss in eight matches in a high-scoring draw in Kansas.

Minnesota Utd vs. Cincinnati (Thursday, 1.30am)

Minnesota United take on last year's Supporters Shield winners FC Cincinnati in Wednesday night's gameweek 32 MLS match at Allianz Field, keen to maintain their playoff hopes.

The Western Conference side occupy ninth spot in their division and aim for another positive result against the second-placed team in the Eastern to make a late play for a guaranteed playoff place.

We say: Minnesota United 1-1 FC Cincinnati

Having won seven consecutive road matches in the competition, Cincinnati have lost two on the trot heading into Wednesday's visit to Minnesota.

While the hosts have struggled on their turf lately, losing four in five, the visiting club's seeming diminished motivation could see both sides come away with a share of the spoils.

Nashville vs. Chicago Fire (Thursday, 1.30am)

Nashville SC will be looking to snap their run of four consecutive home defeats when they go head to head with Chicago Fire at Geodis Park on Wednesday.

Both sides, who are currently level on points outside the playoff places, will be looking to get one over the other and begin a late push for post-season football.

We say: Nashville SC 2-1 Chicago Fire

Wednesday's result could prove pivotal in their push for a playoff spot and we expect Nashville and Chicago to go all out in search of maximum points. The Boys in Gold have won their last two home games against Klopas's men and we are tipping them to come away with all three points here, albeit by the odd goal.

Salt Lake vs. Dallas (Thursday, 2.30am)

Real Salt Lake will be aiming to bounce back from a humiliating defeat last time out when they welcome Dallas to America First Field on Thursday.

Dallas, meanwhile, make the journey to Utah also in need of a pick-me-up as they look to mount a late challenge for a place in the playoffs.

We say: Real Salt Lake 2-1 Dallas

Goals have been a regular feature of this fixture, and we can hardly see things changing on Thursday.

We are also backing Real Salt Lake to come away with maximum points come the sound of the final whistle.

Los Angeles vs. Austin (Thursday, 3.30am)

Los Angeles FC will look to bounce back from their derby defeat to LA Galaxy when they host Austin FC in Thursday's Major League Soccer clash.

The visitors meanwhile will be looking to avoid a third consecutive league defeat, and a win at the BMO Stadium could see them leapfrog their Texas rivals FC Dallas and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

We say: Los Angeles FC 2-1 Austin FC

LAFC still have plenty to play for this season in the league and with their upcoming cup final at the end of the month, and so the need to build momentum towards that is of paramount importance.

With that in mind and Austin's inconsistent form plaguing them all season, we expect the home side to just edge out what could be a tight affair.

Portland vs. LA Galaxy (Thursday, 3.30am)

With the MLS season nearing its climax, the Portland Timbers face a high-stakes Western Conference showdown against league leaders Los Angeles Galaxy at Providence Park.

Their opponents, LA Galaxy, arrive with the wind firmly in their sails, sitting at the summit of the Western Conference and eager to continue their charge towards the Supporters' Shield.

We say: Portland Timbers 3-2 Los Angeles Galaxy

LA Galaxy, despite their impressive season and top position in the Western Conference, have shown some vulnerability away from home whilst Portland Timbers, motivated by the need to secure a playoff spot and buoyed by their strong home form, will be eager to exploit LA Galaxy's recent away inconsistencies.

Seattle vs. Earthquakes (Thursday, 3.30am)

Seattle Sounders will go in search of a third straight Major League Soccer victory when the San Jose Earthquakes come visiting Lumen Field on Thursday.

While the away side have endured a rough campaign to date, they head to Seattle with the opportunity to complete a league double over their hosts after a 3-2 triumph in the reverse meeting.

We say: Seattle Sounders 3-1 San Jose Earthquakes

Seattle Sounders are flying at the moment, while San Jose Earthquakes have shown no signs of a much-needed renaissance, and we fully expect the home team to emerge victorious in the end.