Game Information
St. Louis CITY SC (2-4-2, 8 points) vs Vancouver Whitecaps (6-1-1, 19 points)
Time: 7:30pm CT Saturday
How to watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
DraftKings Odds
Odds: CITY +125, Vancouver +190, Draw +240
Total: 2.5 (over -135, under +100)
CITY Take On MLS’ Best Team
St. Louis CITY SC will attempt to snap a four-game losing streak when they welcome the MLS-leading Vancouver Whitecaps to Energizer Park this Saturday night.
CITY broke a three-game goalless drought this past Sunday, but it wasn’t enough in a 2-1 loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Columbus Crew.
CITY Looking More Dangerous
Despite the loss to Columbus, there is reason for hope as CITY looked much more dangerous with their offensive attack. They generated 1.69 xG (expected goals) and 4 big chances, and they arguably should have had more as a late second half goal was taken away after a controversial offsides call.
The more threatening offensive attack was a welcome sight even if CITY sacrificed a little bit defensively with a more aggressive approach. CITY gave up 2 goals for the second straight game after conceding just 2 goals total over their first 6 games. Columbus generated 1.66 xG (second-highest allowed by CITY this season) and 5 big chances (most allowed by CITY this season).
Whitecaps Are Dominating
Vancouver is the top team in MLS with 19 points over the first 8 games of the season. The Whitecaps lead the league with 17 goals, they are tied for the fewest goals allowed with 6, they are tied for the most big chances created with 29, and they have the best goal differential in the league at +11.
Vancouver is coming a 5-1 smashing of Austin FC, with Whitecaps forward Brian White racking up 4 goals in that game. White is tied for the league lead in goals with 6 on the season.
My Pick
I’m writing this article five days before the game because I saw the line here on Monday morning, and my eyes about bugged out of my head when I saw CITY was a decent-sized favorite.
I love CITY and I’m actually much more optimistic about them long-term after watching the Columbus game, but I just can’t comprehend how they are a favorite against the top team in MLS in Vancouver.
It’s a similar feeling I had when seeing CITY open as a favorite against Columbus. The line shifted later in the week with Columbus becoming the favorite, and I expect similar movement this week as we get closer to matchday.
My bet for this game is Vancouver +0.25 at -120 on the Asian handicap. If you’re not familiar with soccer betting, that means half your stake is on Vancouver +0.5 and the other half is on Vancouver PK. Here’s the breakdown of what that means if you wagered $120 to win $100 at the -120 odds:
CITY wins the game - You lose your bet and lose $120.
Vancouver wins the game - You win your bet and profit $100
Draw - You win half your bet. The Vancouver PK portion of your bet is a push. The Vancouver +0.5 portion of your bet is a win and you profit $50.
So by placing this wager, you’re going to profit unless CITY picks up a win against the team with the best record in the league. That’s a risk I’m willing to take. And if you agree with me, I would bet this now because I fully expect the line to move toward Vancouver as the week rolls on.
Pick: Vancouver Whitecaps +0.25 at -120 on DraftKings (bet up to -130)
Eric Sontag hosts Domesticated Gamblers every Friday on the Sports Hub STL YouTube channel. Follow him on X @GamblingDads, and click here for his daily picks on all of our St. Louis area sports teams. Picks = betting the game - minus odds betting to win 1 unit, plus odds risking 1 unit. Leans = no strong opinion, not betting the game. Disclaimer