In the first MLS game since the international break, Sporting Kansas City (5-1-2) will host Austin FC (2-1-4) at Children’s Mercy Park. The kickoff is slated for 3:00 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Sporting Kansas City vs. Austin FC odds and lines and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
Austin FC is coming off an impressive draw with the best team in the Western Conference in the Seattle Sounders.
Prior to that, Austin was riding a three-game losing streak including a 2-1 defeat to Sporting KC back May 9. In their first MLS season, Austin has managed 2 wins in 7 matches.
As for Sporting KC, it should’ve also used the international break to get some rest. With eight games under their belt, Sporting KC is second place in the West.
That said, this will be the first game in nearly two weeks for both teams.
Austin at Sporting KC: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:09 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Austin FC +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | Sporting Kansas City -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Draw +290 (bet $100 to win $290)
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -140 | U: +105)
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Prediction
Sporting Kansas City 1, Austin FC 0
Money line (ML)
PASS Sporting KC (-140) because it’s a bit rich when their leading scorer is still out on international duty.
Forward Alan Pulido will conclude his international duty with a game later on Saturday as Mexico will take on Honduras.
For this event, Pulido’s absence will leave a huge question mark for Sporting KC’s offense. Sporting KC has 15 goals on the season, and Pulido has a third of them.
His absence will be brutal, and it could mean the underdogs are a better play, especially as Austin FC (+310) is looking to get another solid result after that draw with Seattle.
However, at a full capacity Children’s Mercy Park, I wouldn’t bet against the home side either. Forward Daniel Salloi is expected to be active for Sporting KC which should help their attack.
Austin FC allows just over a goal per game, so it wouldn’t be shocking for something to find the back of the net.
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Over/Under (O/U)
BET the Under 2.5 (+105) because of Pulido being out. On top of that, the Under being plus-money presents good value.
With Pulido sidelined, Sporting KC’s attack will take a hit. For Austin FC, it has only scored 5 goals in 7 games, which both give good reasons to take the Under. Sporting KC scores nearly 2 goals per game.
In a May 9 meeting, Sporting KC beat Austin FC 2-1, but Austin was playing with only 10 men for the last third of the game and actually held up quite well. The Under is the only good value.
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