Designated Bets: Will Josef Martínez get his revenge?
By Anthony Rotz
From Cincy to LA, Matchday 11 offers plenty of value across the board. Let’s get stuck in.
FC Cincinnati vs DC United
Cincinnati survived a dog fight last week, claiming a point away in a 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution. Poor defending yielded a 4.4 xG for New England, one of the worst xGA of any team this season.
Back home, Cincy will face a surging DC United team, winners of their last three. Lewis O’Brien’s arrival on loan from Nottingham Forest has given Wayne Rooney another quality option in midfield, and together with Mateusz Klich and Russell Canouse have formed a formidable trio in the middle of the pitch.
To make it four wins in a row, DC will have to do what no team has yet. That is to beat Cincy at home. In four matches at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati is a perfect 5-0-0.
Southern Ohio’s favorite soccer team grinds opponents down. The backline has conceded just two goals at home, establishing themselves as one of Major League Soccer’s stingiest defenses.
As I’ve pointed out before, Cincy finds ways to win at home, and will continue to back that trend until they don’t. At -125, I have this line projected closer to -170.
FC Cincinnati -125
Inter Miami vs Atlanta United
Could this be the Josef Martínez revenge game? Maybe. But with several key players out, it will be an even tougher ask. Plus, who knows if he’ll even make it on the pitch?
One of the more eagerly expected fixtures of the season, Atlanta heads down to face an Inter Miami team staring down an injury crisis. Midfielder Jean Mota, Miami’s best player in the early going, has been ruled out for 4-6 months following an injury to the LCL in his right knee. On top of Mota, fellow midfielder Rodolfo Pizzaro will also likely miss the match, while Robbie Robinson and club captain Gregore continue their rehab process.
Atlanta is facing some injuries of their own, namely star striker Giorgos Giakoumakis and midfielder Franco Ibarra. Luckily for Atlanta, they have one of the league’s biggest X-factors in Thiago Almada, who should see the Inter Miami midfield ripe for the picking.
United does not have an incredible road record, just 1-2-1 but I’m expecting a tough, gritty game from both sides. I’ll give the slight edge to Atlanta.
Atlanta United Draw no Bet -110
LA Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids
Los Angeles couldn’t keep the good time rolling, suffering defeat last week away to Orlando City. The good news for the Galaxy is they are back home to face the Colorado Rapids, and home is a venue they have performed well in despite results saying otherwise.
Across four matches, Greg Vanney’s side has a +2.4 xGD. Only once have the visitors produced a higher xG, that team being LAFC three weeks ago. A convincing home victory against Austin FC followed that defeat. Though the Galaxy has performances to be proud of, still, the team has just that lone win against Austin.
Across from the Galaxy, Colorado faces a similar predicament, struggling to get the ball into the net. While, again like the Galaxy, xG predicts some positive regression, the Rapids are still waiting on it.
When the Galaxy defeated Austin a few weeks back, it was an absolute must-win. Now, back at home, the situation is the same. The Galaxy will go all out for three points, and ill back them to do just that.
LA Galaxy -135