There are some fantastic mid-week fixtures to look forward to in Major League Soccer and the pick of the bunch must be Vancouver Whitecaps trip to play close rivals Seattle Sounders. Not only is a place in the end of season playoffs at stake in this game but so is the Cascadia Cup. This is a cup which was created by the supporters of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers. While it is the least of their aims this season, Vancouver Whitecaps are looking to win their seventh Cascadia Cup but will need to win this match to have any chance.
Seattle Sounders Form
Seattle Sounders have been struggling of late and need to turn their form around if they are to remain in the playoff places in the Western Conference. They have failed to win any of their previous 5 matches in the MLS, picking up 4 draws and 1 defeat, the latter of which was on Sunday at Real Salt Lake. The 2-0 defeat saw Real Salt Lake close the gap on Seattle Sounders to 3 points. Seattle Sounders have failed to score more than 1 goal in any of their last 5 matches and have kept just a single clean sheet in their previous 6 MLS games.
Vancouver Whitecaps Form
Vancouver Whitecaps are unbeaten in their last 7 MLS games and are making a charge towards the Conference semi-finals. The Canadian club have just a 1-point cushion at the top of the table but have two games in hand over second place Portland Timbers. They won their game on the weekend, defeating Colorado Rapids 2-1 at home and this was the fifth game in succession that Vancouver Whitecaps have scored 2 or more goals in a game. The attack has certainly been outperforming the defence and Vancouver Whitecaps have kept just a single clean sheet in their last 9 MLS games.
Team News
Seattle Sounders are expected to be without defender Brad Evans, midfielder Calum Malace, and striker Jordan Morris who are all on the treatment table. The hosts also have doubts over the fitness of Chad Marshall ahead of the game. Vancouver Whitecaps make the relatively short trip to CenturyLink Field without defender David Edgar. The visitors also have doubts over Matias Laba and Christian Bolanos, which could leave them short in midfield for this crucial game.
Top Betting Tips
Given the defensive issues of both teams, it seems likely both will find the back of the net in this game and you can get 4/6 with Ladbrokes for both teams to score. Seattle Sounders may be struggling to win games but they are very tough to beat at home and have lost just one home MLS game this season. Therefore, despite the good form of Vancouver Whitecaps they may be forced to settle for a point. The draw is 3/1 with Ladbrokes.
All eyes will be on former Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero, who left the club in 2012. Now playing for Vancouver Whitecaps, Montero has scored 7 in his last 10 games, with a goal in each of the last two. Montero is 21/10 with Ladbrokes to score at any time.