Real Salt Lake (8 wins, 5 losses, 5 draws) welcomes the Colorado Rapids (5-8-4) to Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
Real Salt Lake has been one of the surprise teams of 2022, sitting third in the Western Conference. RSL is led by F Bobby Wood, who is tied with F Sergio Cordova and D Justen Glad for the most goals (3) on the club.
RSL is the only playoff contending team in the West without a positive goal differential, having scored 22 and allowed 22. RSL has yet to lose at home, having posted a 6-0-2 record at Rio Tinto Stadium.
As for the Rapids, they’ve disappointed after finishing atop the conference a season ago. Colorado’s defense has taken a step back, having allowed 24 goals in 17 matches. It’s scored just 19.
The Rapids are led in scoring by F Diego Rubio, who has 7 goals on the season. Colorado has lost 3 of its last 4 matches.
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Real Salt Lake 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 5:46 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Real Salt Lake +112 (bet $100 to win $112) | Colorado Rapids +250 (bet $100 to win $250) | Draw +240
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
[tipico]
Prediction
Real Salt Lake 2, Colorado Rapids 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN REAL SALT LAKE (+112).
While the goal differential for RSL is even (at 0), what it has been able to do at home can’t be overlooked.
RSL is undefeated at home and have won 6 of 8 with 2 draws. It has impressive wins as well over teams like the LA Galaxy, Nashville, Seattle and Austin FC. RSL has won its last two at home.
As for Colorado, the opposite is true and equally as concerning. The Rapids have lost 5 of their last 6 on the road, while 3 of their last 4 road losses have been by 2 or more goals.
The odds are there for RSL because books seem hesitant to believe in RSL and still have hope for the Rapids. At plus-money, I’d heavily lean to REAL SALT LAKE (+112) to win outright.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET OVER 2.5 (-112).
The Rapids have not been able to figure it out defensively like they did a season ago. They’ve allowed 3 goals in 3 of their last 4 matches. They’ve gone north of this total in 4 of their last 6.
RSL has gone over in 5 of its last 7.
Real Salt Lake’s most recent performance was a 3-2 loss to Minnesota. RSL also has the 7th most shots against, so despite having only given up 1.22 per game, the opportunities have been there for its opponents.
Couple both teams’ recent stretch of matches, and I’ll take the OVER 2.5 (-112) here.
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