Rapids revival

Colorado Rapids v FC Cincinnati

Sunday, 01:30

On the face of it, this is a battle between the worst two teams in MLS and normally wouldn't merit a second look, as bottom of the West Colorado take on bottom of the East FC Cincinnati.

There's a bet here for us, though, as the Rapids have found form of late, and while they haven't managed to close the gap between themselves and the rest, they can certainly be hopeful going forward.

Until two weeks ago, Colorado had lost nine of their opening 11 games, drawing the other two, and things looked desperate. Since then, though, they've won two of three, and their draw at Philadelphia in midweek will have given them even more confidence, as Conor Casey's team continues to improve, after the dismissal of Anthony Hudson.

As for FC Cincinnati, Yoann Damet hasn't made the same kind of impact as Casey, and they look like they're stumbling to a horrible first MLS season. They've lost seven of their last eight, and now they head to a Colorado team brimming with confidence. The Rapids really shouldn't be as big as [2.3] for this, and we should take advantage.

Portland homecoming

Portland Timbers v LAFC

Sunday, 03:30

Live on Premier 2

After their twelve-match road trip to start the season, the Portland Timbers will finally get the chance to play a home game, as they welcome LAFC to the all-new Providence Park.

After a shaky opening few games, the Timbers will end up being reasonably happy with their start, winning four of their last six, and now potentially able to continue their good run on home turf, in front of some of the best fans in MLS.

LAFC have already beaten Portland this season, at Banc of California Stadium, and that 4-1 scoreline leads us to the potential for more goals here. Portland have clearly hit their stride, won 3-1 at Philly last week, and this big occasion will encourage them to go at LAFC.

That can be a mistake, as Carlos Vela and co have shown us so many times during this campaign so far, but the Timbers are not without hope here. LAFC have drawn three of their last six, and while they're clearly the best team in the League, they're not unbeatable.

There'll surely be goals here, though, and I expect a high-scoring draw. Over 3.5 Goals is the call, with both teams bouncing back to goalscoring form last weekend.

Quakes calm down

DC United v San Jose Earthquakes

Sunday, 01:00

Live on Premier 2

The all-time MLS record goalscorer Chris Wondolowski brings his outstanding form to a DC United team that may be top of the East, but have been struggling in recent weeks.

DCU haven't won in four, but only one of those games has been at home, against Chicago last week, and I think they'll have too much for the 'Quakes, with Wondo's run sure to end soon. He has scored six in his last two, but pretty much everything that he has tried has come off, and that's true of San Jose lately as well.

DC United may be hard to trust, but before that slip against Chicago, they'd won their previous two home games, and they look supportable at [1.92] to come out of this with a win.

With Matias Almeyda's team winning three of their last four, it may seem like a dangerous play, but as I mentioned earlier, I have the sense that luck has been on their side of late, and that may just run out as they head for the team that has, after all, the joint third best record in the whole of MLS this season.