New England Revolution v Real Salt Lake
Saturday 22nd September 2330hrs
Football – USA – MLS
Pick Both teams to score
Bookmaker Marathonbet
Odds: 13/25 (odds taken 21.00 GMT, Friday 20 September)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41/50 | 29/10 | 14/5 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on September 19, 2019 at 21.00)
With the regular MLS season coming to a close there a few games which mean little in this round. That’s not the case in New England as the Revolution host Real Salt Lake with both teams needing points to secure their playoff spots.
New England Revolution Preview – Can New England claim just their second win in eight games?
After 30 regular season games New England have a remarkably symmetrical record of 10 wins, 10 draws and 10 defeats. In recent weeks it’s been, frustratingly, the draw column that has been added to. Indeed, four of their 10 draws have came from the middle of August onwards whilst they were sitting on nine wins at the end of July. Despite faltering of New England are still on course to finish in the playoffs but it will be tighter than they either expected or hoped for a couple of months ago. Still, it’s credit to the work of Bruce Arena who took over as head coach in May following an ill-fated spell in charge of Brad Friedel. Revolution had started the season with five defeats in seven games so a change was deemed to be required.
Arena’s arrival has brought about improvement but that should not be any surprise considering he has won the MLS title three times as a coach. With the quality of team that is currently around at the moment it’s unlikely that he will be adding to that this year. However, he will certainly feel his team should be in the conversation at least and that means at least maintaining their position and competing in the post season.
Real Salt Lake Preview – Or will Real Salt Lake bounce back from Conference defeat last time to keep themselves in position?
The Western Conference is as competitive as it’s ever been this season and Real Salt Lake are one of many who will be looking over their shoulders as a result. Despite being in fourth spot they are just three points ahead of Portland Timbers in eighth, who sit immediately outside of the playoff spots. The club’s on field objectives have not been helped in recent times by the ongoing dispute between former coach Mike Petke and the club over his dismissal back in August. Frederico Juarez has since taken charge of the team but will want to concentrate minds as much as possible amidst talk of legal action against the club.
This weekend’s trip to New England is an important one. It comes a week after their humbling in Minnesota and ahead of game with LA Galaxy. Real Salt Lake end their regular season at home to Houston which would be seen as their best chance of three points. That said, they will not want it to go all the way to the last game before confirming their qualification for the playoffs meaning any sort of result against Revs would be very welcome.
Key-Facts – New England Revolution v Real Salt Lake
- New England are currently placed in the last playoff position but have managed just one win in their last seven games
- Real Salt Lake are fourth in the Western Conference but are just three points ahead of eighth placed Portland and need to continue picking up points
- Only five of the other 23 teams in MLS have conceded more goals than New England this season
New England Revolution v Real Salt Lake Betting Advice
This stage of the season is always a nervy time for players and coaches alike. It’s especially so in this campaign because how competitive each Conference is and these two teams are very much part of that equation. Although there have been a number of draws for New England the positive is they are not losing many games – just two of their last 14 games have been lost. The visitors are not as consistent, though, with three wins and three losses in their last six games. It’s been away from home they have struggled across the whole season. Only three of their 14 wins have come on the road but even a draw would be a good result in this one.
New England are poor defensively and have the sixth worst defensive record in the MLS. Somewhat surprisingly they also have a negative goal difference – the only team in a playoff position to have that. That will give their visitors confidence of scoring at least.
All of New England’s last six games have ended with both teams scoring and that’s the selection for this game.
