The Vancouver Whitecaps (8 wins, 11 losses, 6 draws) welcome the Colorado Rapids (8-9-7) to BC Place Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we preview the Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Colorado Rapids odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
The Whitecaps enter this match after being destroyed on the road by the LA Galaxy 5-2 last weekend. Vancouver was down 3-0 within the first half an hour. It is 6-3-3 at home though.
Vancouver is 2-1-1 at home against non-playoff Western Conference teams. It also has a home win over LAFC. The Whitecaps are led in scoring by Lucas Cavallini with 8 goals on the season.
Colorado has one of the worst road records in the MLS season at just 1-7-3. Coming off a 1-1 home draw against the Columbus Crew last weekend, Colorado will play 4 of its next 5 games on the road.
The Rapids are led by star F Diego Rubio, who has 12 goals on the season. Former USMNT F Gyasi Zardes ranks 2nd on the Rapids with 6 goals.
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Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Colorado Rapids odds, lines, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:34 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Vancouver Whitecaps +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Colorado Rapids +175 (bet $100 to win $175 | Draw +255
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -150 | U: +120)
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Prediction
Vancouver Whitecaps 2, Colorado Rapids 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (+145).
The Rapids have been too poor on the road this season. They’ve had fewer expected goals in 4 of their last 5 road games, and in 3 of those 5, they’ve had more than 1 fewer expected goals.
Colorado just hasn’t put it together consistently outside of DSG Park, and I’d bet their struggles continue.
On the other hand, Vancouver may not be an elite side, but it does have impressive home wins, especially over LAFC, and has consistently been better than its opponent at its home in Canada.
The Whitecaps have as many wins as losses and draws, so at plus-money odds, this seems like a good value play.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET OVER 2.5 (-150).
This is probably closer to lean due to the -150 value, but this is a strong play. The Rapids don’t have nearly as strong of a defense as they did last season and recently put 5 on the Red Bulls on the road.
Colorado’s issues this season while playing on the road have been mainly defensive, not offensive. It has been shut out just 3 times and has topped this total in all but 3 road matches.
The Rapids have hit it in 4 straight away from DSG as well.
Vancouver has gone over this in 3 straight at home and has topped in it in 7 of 12 home matches. The Whitecaps have the 2nd-worst goal differential in the West, and it’s due to a lacking defense, having given up 44 goals in 25 matches.
Considering all that, Over 2.5 (-150) feels like a great value play despite it being on the richer side.
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