Real Salt Lake (8 wins, 4 losses, 4 draws) welcomes Columbus Crew (4-5-5) to Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Real Salt Lake vs. Columbus Crew odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
Real Salt Lake has been among the several surprise clubs so far this season. They’re 2nd in the Western Conference with 28 points, and their success has been mainly at Rio Tinto Stadium where they’re unbeaten.
They’ve even drawn just once for a remarkable 6-0-1 home record. RSL is led by F Bobby Wood with 3 goals, but 6 players for RSL have scored at least twice this season.
As for the Crew, they’ve been on the other side, disappointing fans so far. There’s still time to turn things around, and with 2021 MLS All-Star M Lucas Zelarayán, it’s certainly possible. Columbus sits 11th in the East.
They’re led by Zelarayan’s 4 goals. The Crew have scored just 18 goals in 14 games, allowing 17. They’re one of 2 teams in the East outside of playoff position but with a positive goal differential.
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Real Salt Lake vs. Columbus Crew 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 Friday at 9:54 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Real Salt Lake -118 (bet $118 to win $100) | Columbus Crew +330 (bet $100 to win $330) | Draw +265
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -103 | U: -117)
[tipico]
Prediction
Real Salt lake 1, Columbus Crew 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN DRAW +265.
The Crew have drawn 4 times on the road this season, having played just 7 games away from Lower.com Field.
Columbus’ lone road losses were to Philadelphia and New York City FC, the latter of which beat RSL 6-0. Both sit top 3 in the Eastern Conference, so the Crew have otherwise been solid on the road.
Given RSL’s dominance at home, the odds swing heavily in their favor. However, their goal differential is just one as 6 of their 8 wins have been by 1 goal; 2 of their 4 losses have been by multiple goals.
For just a lean, I’d prefer the draw here.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (-117).
The Crew have gone under this total in 4 of 7 road games.
Similarly, RSL is 8-8 O/U this total this season. RSL averages 1.25 goals per game and allows just 1.19. The Crew, on the other hand, are not a score-heavy side either. They averaged 1.29 goals per game and allow 1.21.
While I think that Columbus scores at least once, they have been held scoreless in 6 of its last 10. The Crew are 1-3 O/U over their last 4 games as well.
Considering neither team has a lethal scoring option and has a capable defense, I expect a low-scoring battle.
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