Austin FC (2 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws) battle the Colorado Rapids (0-3-1) Saturday with kickoff from Q2 Stadium set for 8:30 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Below, we preview Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Austin FC vs. Colorado Rapids odds, and make our best expert MLS picks and predictions.
Austin FC is coming off a 2-0 road loss to the Houston Dynamo last Saturday. They had just .9 expected goals in that battle, ending a 2-game winning streak. Austin FC is 1-1-0 at home this season, taking down CF Montreal 1-0 and losing to St. Louis 3-2.
Austin FC has scored 5 goals and allowed 6 so far this season. Offensively, they are led by D Jon Gallagher, who has a team-high 2 goals. F Sebastian Driussi is the key attacker to keep an eye on.
Colorado has scored just 1 goal in 4 games and has allowed 7. Their -6 goal differential is the worst in the league. They are 0-2-0 on the road, losing to San Jose 1-0 and Seattle 4-0. The Rapids have allowed more than an expected goal in 3 of 4 games and had more than expected goal in 2 of 4. Their lone goal was scored by F Cole Bassett.
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Austin FC vs. Colorado Rapids odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Austin FC -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Colorado Rapids +430 (bet $100 to win $430) | Draw +330
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -140 | U: +120)
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Austin FC vs. Colorado Rapids picks and predictions
Prediction
Austin FC 3, Colorado Rapids 1
Moneyline (ML)
LEAN AUSTIN FC (-160).
While the value isn’t necessary here, there’s really no other way to play this. Colorado has been the worst team in the MLS. Austin was 8-3-6 at home last season as well. Driussi has yet to find his footing offensively, but the 27-year-old should be able to get on track.
Austin also ranks 7th in shots and 10th in shots on target, so despite only having 5 goals, they have an offense that has been producing at a high level. Their defense has been a problem, allowing 1.5 goals per game, but the Colorado offense likely won’t be able to make them pay for that.
Ultimately, back AUSTIN FC (-160) but only for a small unit given the value.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET OVER 2.5 (-140).
Austin is allowing 1.5 goals per game, and while their offense is averaging just 1.25 right now, they were at 1.91 goals per game last season and should improve to around that level with Druissi still leading the way.
Austin has gone Over this in 2 of 4 games this season. Colorado has also gone Over in 2 of 4 and has allowed multiple goals in 2 of 4 as well. The pace of this game and lacking defense by Colorado should allow for ample scoring opportunity. Also as noted above, the Austin offense is better than their 5 goals show.
Take the OVER 2.5 (-140).
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