Sporting Kansas City vs. Columbus Crew odds, picks and predictions
Sporting Kansas City (2 wins, 6 losses, 0 draws) hosts the Columbus Crew (2-3-2) at Children's Mercy Park Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Sporting Kansas City vs. Columbus Crew odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
The Columbus Crew made a season-changing trade with the Colorado Rapids Friday, sending F Gyasi Zardes, who had 1 goal on the season. After a 2-0-2 start, the Crew have lost 3 straight games.
Its offense has taken a significant hit recently, getting shut out in its last 3 games. All-Star M Lucas Zelarayán leads the Crew in scoring with 4 goals. The Crew sit 9th in the East and are 0-1-2 on the road.
Sporting KC has played far worse than a season ago. It has also lost 3 straight and 5 of its last 6. M Rémi Walter leads the team with 2 goals.
Sporting sits 12th in the West and has scored just 6 goals in 8 games. However, it has won 2 of its 3 home games.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Columbus Crew odds, lines, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:12 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Sporting KC +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Columbus +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Draw +225
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +102 | U: -125)
Prediction
Sporting KC 1, Columbus 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN to the DRAW (+ 225).
Both teams are coming in on 3-game losing streaks and have not played anything like they did a season ago. With that in mind, the Crew have scored 10 goals in 7 games while Sporting has allowed 14. That's concerning.
Sporting does rank in the top half of the league in interceptions. It has had just 29 shots against it as well, so it's not quite as bad as the 14 goals in 6 games sound.
Sporting is also 2-1-0 at home, while the Crew have drawn 2 of its 3 road games. At the +225 value the Draw has, it's the best way to play the money line.
Over/Under (O/U)
BETUNDER 2.5 (-125).
As noted, Sporting KC's save rate is awful, and given how well its defense has played at limiting shots, it should be able to force Columbus into a low-scoring game.
That'll be what it wants as Sporting has scored just 6 goals and ranks in the bottom 10 clubs in shots on goal. Columbus ranks first, yet hasn't scored in 3 games.
After 7 goals in its first 2 games, the Crew have scored just 3 in its last 5. The dynamic offense has taken a hit, and without Zardes, it may struggle again Saturday night.
With that in mind, I'll take the UNDER 2.5 (-125) with ease.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire's official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you're looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).