MLS General Team Markets: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

General Team Markets bet presents a bettor with a choice between two teams to see who finishes higher at the end of the season after the playoffs are decided.

Both teams are assigned odds and the payoff is at the rate of the team at the time of the bet.

For example, one of the General Team Markets bet available right now for the MLS is FC Dallas vs Chicago Fire. FC Dallas is -335 and Chicago is +220 .

If you believe that FC Dallas will finish higher than Chicago at the end of the playoffs, then a $335 bet on FC Dallas will win you $100.

However, if you like Chicago’s chances of clipping FC Dallas at the finish line, then a $100 bet on the Fire will bring home $220.

In these five matchups that we will preview, you’ll see what each team has remaining on their schedule and how the conference is shaping up in front of them.

What are the Best General Team Markets matchups in the MLS for 2019?

Portland Timbers (-155) vs Seattle Sounders (+110)

In this classic matchup between two of the MLS’ most beloved teams, Portland is behind the Sounders by one point in the standings, but has played one less match than the Sounders.

The primary reason that Portland has become a large favorite to finish higher than Seattle is due to the Timbers’ remaining schedule.

Portland had to play a lot of early games on the road this season while work was completed on their renovated stadium.

As a result, the Timbers schedule is back loaded with home games. In fact, they play nine of their last ten games at home.

Seattle, on the other hand, has just four of their last nine games at CenturyLink Field.

Portland has gained 17 out of 24 possible points at home, so having nine more contests could have them firmly ahead of Seattle fairly soon in the standings.

Another factor that significantly helps Portland is that they are four points behind 2nd place in the Western Conference. With no other teams have this kind of schedule perk, Portland could claim home-field for the knockout round game.

Take Portland at the value as they will leapfrog Seattle and most likely have a home game in the knockout round. If they win, that should be good enough to take the money on this one.

NYCFC (-250) vs New York Red Bulls (+175)

Although the battle for New York is neck and neck in the standings, there is an obvious leader that could shoot up the Eastern Conference down the stretch.

NYCFC stands in fourth place, just one point ahead of their crosstown rivals, the Red Bulls.

At first glance, it looks like this is a close match, but a deeper look shows some cracks in that theory. First, NYCFC has played just 23 games to the Red Bulls’ 25 this season.

The next advantage for NYCFC is that they play six of their remaining games at home where they are 6-1-4 (W-L-D) whereas the Red Bulls just play four at Red Bull Arena.

Looking at the remaining schedules a bit deeper, there is a face-to-face clash next weekend between the two teams that will be important in claiming a top spot in the East.

One disadvantage to the loaded schedule for NYCFC is that they will play four matches over the last two weeks of August, then follow it with six matches in September.

NYCFC could look sluggish down the stretch, especially since their final four games are at FC Dallas, home against Atlanta, on the road at New England and a wrap up at Philadelphia.

The final four could really hurt NYCFC’s chances at claiming a home game in the first round knockout stage.

That said, NYCFC still has a one point lead and two game advantage on the Red Bulls, so they should be able to absorb a small losing streak without jeopardizing their position with the crosstown club.

LA Galaxy (-195) vs San Jose Earthquakes (+135)

With the firepower of Zlatan Ibrahimovi?, this face off might look like an easy win for LA Galaxy. But San Jose could provide a bit of excitement in this bet if they can get past the knockout round.

Taking a look at the teams, LA has the second most wins in the conference but also has as many losses as 10th place, Sporting KC.

The Galaxy stand in third with 40 points but are only four points ahead of the 8th place squad in the West in FC Dallas with 36 points.

With nine matches left, Los Angeles has a few tough matches with a rematch against crosstown LAFC at the end of the month highlighting the remaining fixtures.

Looking deeper at San Jose’s schedule, you’ll see road games against LAFC, Real Salt Lake, NYCFC, Atlanta and Portland on the docket. That doesn’t factor in a visit from Eastern-leading Philadelphia in late September.

While LA remains a solid bet to outlast San Jose on the calendar, the Earthquakes are one of the five teams in the West to have already scored 40 goals or more this season and could cause fits in a winner-take-all match if they can reach the playoffs.

Montreal Impact (+130) vs Toronto FC (-182)

In a battle of eastern Canada, Montreal and Toronto are currently on the cutline of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

As it stands, Montreal with one more game played than Toronto are tied in the standings at 33 points each.

When taking a look at the schedules, Montreal has a significant edge with six home games left out of their nine remaining matches, while Toronto just has three more contests on their own pitch.

Both teams face off against one another next weekend and that game is at Toronto, so if Montreal can pull off the road win, then they’ll certainly be in the driver’s seat for a playoff spot.

Unlike some of these other bets where both teams look to be headed to the playoffs, this matchup could have a winner before the playoffs begin because it is highly likely that just one team from this duo will make the postseason.

The odds of this face off should change dramatically after the match between the two teams at Toronto. If you are looking for an underdog play with little exposure, the bet on Montreal at +130 could provide some solid value.

2019 MLS General Team Markets Odds

The odds will be updated as soon as they are made available by the sportsbooks. If you are in New Jersey you can bet on MLS events on 888Sport, BetStars NJ, playMGM, and DraftKings. Good luck!