REAL SALT LAKE are flying high in the Major League Soccer table and the Western Conference leaders will be looking to keep their storming start going with a home win over Austin FC.
Last season ended in heartache for Pablo Mastroeni's men as they lost to Houston Dynamo on penalties in the first round of the play-offs. There was something of a hangover when they new campaign began as Real only collected one win from their first four matches.
But they then went 11 unbeaten to race to the top of the Conference and will be looking to keep that momentum going when Austin FC come calling.
Josh Wolff's men failed to reach the play-offs last term in a disappointing campaign that saw them finish third bottom of the Western Conference.
It looked like being more of the same when they failed to win in their first five matches this term but like Salt Lake they have managed to turn things around.
An impressive run of form has fired them up the table into a play-off slot so they will run out at America First Field with their tails up.
How the bookies view it: No slip-ups with Salt
Real Salt Lake have lost just once at home this season so it's no great surprise to see them as 4/7 favourites with Bet365. Austin FC are 9/2 outsiders and the draw pays 29/10.
Recent head to head: More away-day joy?
There's nothing between these sides in past MLS clashes, with three wins apiece and just one draw. Home-field advantage didn't count for much last season as Austin won 2-1 in Salt Lake before Real got their revenge by winning in Texas by the same score.
Players to watch: Colombian duo in hot form
Cristian Arango has been on fire for Real Salt Lake this season and is averaging almost a goal a game. The Colombian scored twice in his last home match and is evens for anytime scorer here.
Austin FC also have a Colombian in good form with midfielder Jader Obrian chipping in with four goals already. He's 11/2 for anytime scorer here and that looks a little overpriced.
Probable line-ups
Kevin Bonilla, Erik Holt, Pablo Ruiz and Marcelo Silva look set to miss out again for Real Salt Lake. Austin have doubts over Guilherme Biro, Ethan Finlay and Jon Gallagher.
Real Salt Lake: MacMath, Brody, Glad, Quinton, Katranis, Ojeda, Luna, Andres Gomez, Eneli, Crooks, Arango.
Austin FC: Stuver, Hines-Ike, Jimenez, Cascante, Hedges, Pereira, Ring, Driussi, Obrian, Wolff, Rubio.
Anything else catch the eye?
Real Salt Lake have been involved in some thrillers of late, with a 5-3 win over Colorado followed by a 3-3 draw against Dallas. Austin FC have also been scoring pretty freely so it bodes well for an open and entertaining game.
Over 2.5 goals is just 8/11 but if you combine that with BTTS then the odds increase to 6/5. That looks well worth a punt while over 3.5 match goals also stands a chance at 7/4.
All seven games these sides have played out in the MLS have hit double figures for corners. That's why over 10 corners is just 5/6 but if you go to over 11 corners it increases the odds to a decent 11/8.
This MLS match between Real Salt Lake and Austin FC will be played on Jun 2, 2024 and kick off at 02:30. Check below for our tipsters best Real Salt Lake vs Austin FC prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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