Top of the Western Conference table, Sporting Kansas City face a tough task this weekend as they are forced to travel half way across the United States to play Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer. Sporting Kansas City remain the team to beat in the Western Conference as they start yet another weekend of fixtures sitting top of the table. With 37 points from 23 games, they are 3 points clear of second place Houston Dynamo.
However, Seattle Sounders despite being in fourth place, also have 34 points and are joined by FC Dallas and Portland Timbers on the same total. Therefore, a win for Seattle Sounders in this game will see them finish the weekend level on points with Sporting Kansas City. It’s very tight at the top of the Western Conference and this is a massive game.
Seattle Sounders Form
Seattle Sounders come into this match on the back of a 7-match unbeaten run in the MLS. They have won 4 and drawn 3 of their last 7 league games and this run has pushed them up the conference and into the mix for a top place finish.
Seattle Sounders have won 4 of their last 5 MLS games, with victories over Colorado Rapids, DC United, San Jose Earthquakes and Minnesota United. The draw came at La Galaxy, where the match finished 0-0.
Seattle Sounders have lost only 1 of their last 10 matches at CenturyLink Field in the MLS this season and have won 5 of their last 6, keeping 4 cleans sheets in the process.
Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City make the trip to Seattle in good spirits having defeated San Jose Earthquakes in the US Open Cup semi-final in mid-week.
It’s now 13 games without defeat in all competitive competitions for Sporting Kansas City and they are putting that form on the line at CenturyLink Field this weekend.
Despite being undefeated in their last 9 MLS games, wins have not always been easy to come by for Sporting Kansas City. In fact, they have won only 3 of those 9 games, with the other 6 games all ending in draws.
They have drawn 4 of their last 5 MLS games, all of which have ended with a 1-1 score line. Sporting Kansas City have won 1 of their last 8 away MLS games but are undefeated in their last 3, picking up 5 points.
Team News
The only player unavailable for Seattle Sounders is midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, who has a knee sprain. They are expected to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Will Bruin leading the line receiving support from Clint Dempsey.
Sporting Kansas City travel without Cameron Porter who is injured. They will start in a 4-3-3 formation and Latif Blessing, Diego Rubio and Gerso will start in attack.
Top Betting Tips
Given their recent home form and that of Sporting Kansas City away from home, Seattle Sounders have a great chance to close the gap on the visitors at the top of the table. Seattle Sounders to win is 4/6 with Ladbrokes.
Sporting Kansas City have failed to score in 5 of their last 8 away MLS games and Seattle Sounders have kept 4 clean sheets in their last 6 home MLS games. Seattle Sounders to win this match to nil is available at 9/5 with Ladbrokes.
Clint Dempsey has scored 9 goals in the MLS this season, with 5 of them being the first goal of the game. The American scored 2 goals last week and is 4/1 with Ladbrokes to open the scoring in this game.