In an MLS opener, the Columbus Crew welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps to Lower.com Field Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Below, we preview the Columbus vs. Vancouver odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
After having 2 club friendlies canceled – against Louisville City and Inter – the Crew will finally take the pitch to commence their regular season.
Columbus finished ninth in the Eastern Conference last season with a 13-13-8 (W-L-draw) record. The Crew were 10-4-3 at home. 2021 All-Star M Lucas Zelarayán is still with Columbus and should be a major factor.
The Whitecaps were just 12-9-13 last season, finishing sixth in the Western Conference. They didn’t make much noise in the playoffs, losing to Sporting KC 3-1 in the first round.
They will be returning their leading scorers in F Brian White, who had 12 goals a season ago, and F Cristian Dájome, who finished with 10 goals.
Columbus vs. Vancouver: Odds, 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 12:41 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Columbus -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Vancouver +380 (bet $100 to win $380) | Draw +260
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -110 | U: -120)
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Prediction
Columbus 2, Vancouver 1
Money line (ML)
BET COLUMBUS (-140).
The Crew were almost unstoppable at home last season with most of their struggles coming on the road. Similarly, the Whitecaps won just two games in 17 away matches last year.
For the Crew, Zelarayán is one of the best attacking midfielders in the league, and he should continue his dominant MLS career Saturday. They’ll also have F Gyasi Zardes, who played some with the USMNT in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying this past winter.
While the Crew didn’t put it together a year ago, they have the talent to get back to the MLS Cup-contending level they’ve been the last few seasons.
I’d bet on the CREW (-140) making a good first impression Saturday.
Over/Under (O/U)
LEAN to the OVER 2.5 (-110).
The Crew averaged 1.35 goals per game and allowed 1.32 goals per game last season, while the Whitecaps averaged 1.32 goals and yielded 1.32 goals. With both teams topping 2.6 combined goals per game, betting Over 2.5 is a good value.
As mentioned, Vancouver returns its two-leading, goal-scoring threats, making the ‘Caps just as lethal as a year ago. Expect them to get on the board in this one.
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