There is a lot on the line when the Seattle Sounders play host to Sporting Kansas City this week. Sporting Kansas City have their eyes set on the top spot in the Western Conference and home field throughout the playoffs. They are currently a point behind FC Dallas for the top spot out west, but they have played one less game than their Texas rivals to this point. As for Seattle, they are looking to keep their nine-year playoff streak alive. The Sounders are currently in sixth place, and they would earn the final playoff spot if the season ended today. However, the Los Angeles Galaxy have the same amount of points as Seattle, and the Vancouver Whitecaps are just one point behind too. The Sounders know they need as many points as possible to move their playoff streak to 10.
Don't miss the Major League Soccer action from CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 1, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on UniMas.
MLS Betting at BookMaker.eu
Sporting Kansas City +268
Seattle Sounders FC +101
Draw +255
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
Seattle are a team on a mission entering this match. The Sounders have won seven straight games, and the defense has been phenomenal during that stretch. Seattle have posted shutouts in four of the seven victories, and they allowed a lone goal in the other three wins. They are the hottest team in the MLS coming into their tilt with Sporting Kansas City.
Of course, it’s important to score too, and Seattle have reversed their fortunes after struggling in this area early in the season. The Sounders have scored 16 goals in their seven consecutive wins, and the production has come from all over. That will give Sporting KC something to think about when it comes to drafting a gameplan.
Sporting Kansas City are the only team that have posted better recent defensive performances than Seattle. Sporting KC have posted four straight clean sheets, winning all four of those matches too.
It’s not like Sporting KC have played nobodies during that span either. They knocked off the Houston Dynamo and Los Angeles FC on the road in the first of the two shutouts, and they defeated Portland and Minnesota United at home in the last two shutouts. The wins over LAFC and Portland are particularly impressive and highlight how good this defense can play.
Key Absences
Seattle has been without forward Jordan Morris all season, and the Sounders might not have the services of midfielders Handwalla Bwana and Victor Rodriguez for this tilt. Bwana is dealing with a sprained right foot, while Rodriguez has a strained right hamstring. Both players are listed as questionable here.
Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City will be without four players as they try to upset Seattle on the road. Defender Jimmy Medranda is out for the season with a knee injury, while forward Khiry Shelton may not return this year after tearing his right MCL. Midfielders Brad Evans and Cristian Lobato have been declared out for this one too, with Evans dealing with an Achilles problem and Lobato struggling with a quad issue.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
It’s going to be a packed house in Seattle on Saturday, as the Sounders are set to honor a legend. Clint Dempsey announced his retirement from soccer on Wednesday, and the club is set to honor arguably the greatest American soccer player ever before the match. Dempsey helped lead the Sounders to their first ever MLS Cup two years ago, and he has a special place in the heart of the city.
The supercharged atmosphere will bode well for the home team. Although it will take some time to break through considering the defenses involved, the Sounders will eventually pick up the three points here.
Major League Soccer Odds: Seattle Sounders 2, Sporting Kansas City 0
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