SPORTING KANSAS square off against Vancouver Whitecaps in a Western conference MLS clash with both teams looking to improve their recent form. Neither side has looked their best lately and as they appear equally poor, could be set to cancel each other out.
Sporting Kansas are enduring a difficult campaign as they are currently sitting bottom of the Western Conference. They have lost their last five MLS matches and fell 2-1 to Portland Timbers last time out.
Peter Vermes’ men have picked up just one win from their last six matches across all competitions at Children’s Mercy Park. However, that win came in their previous home fixture as they triumphed 4-0 over FC Tulsa in the US Open Cup. There have also been a couple of 3-3 draws with St Louis City and Portland Timbers which highlight their poor defence.
Vancouver Whitecaps are also coming off a defeat as they were beaten 2-1 by Inter Miami in their previous fixture. That was the fourth defeat in five matches for Vanni Sartini’s men, who are currently seventh on the standings.
The Whitecaps have also found things difficult on their travels and are winless in their last four away matches in the MLS. However, they have played out two draws in that run, including a 1-1 scoreline with Seattle Sounders in their previous fixture on the road.
How the bookies view it: Kansas with the upper hand
Sporting Kansas have been installed as favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 6/5 by bet365. A victory for Vancouver Whitecaps is pegged at 11/5 while a draw is set at odds or 12/5.
Recent head to head: Evenly matched rivals
Sporting Kansas and Vancouver Whitecaps have claimed three wins each and two draws from the last eight meetings. Kansas ran out 3-0 winners in the most recent meeting back in June.
Players to watch: Pulido front and centre
It has not been a typically prolific campaign for Alan Pulido but the forward often leads the line and can be dangerous. He has found the net in the last two meetings with Vancouver Whitecaps and is priced at 7/4 by bet365 to find the net on Thursday.
Vancouver Whitecap will look to Brian White to provide the spark in attack having found the net five times this season. The forward is priced at 21/10 by bet365 to get on the score sheet on Thursday.
Probable line-ups
Sporting Kansas have no new injury problems and could stick to the team that started at Portland Timbers last time out. Vancouver Whitecaps are also not expected to make too many changes to their team.
Sporting Kansas: Mella, Davis, Rosero, Fontas, Leibold, Rodriguez, Radoja, Thommy, Russell, Salloi, Pulido
Vancouver Whitecaps: Takaoka, Laborda, Veselinovic, Blackmon, Ahmed, Vite, Cubas, Schopf, Gauld, Picault, White
Anything else catch the eye?
Sporting Kansas have seen over 3.5 goals in five of their last six home matches and a repeat is priced at 7/4 by bet365. Over 2.5 goals could also be considered at 3/4 while both teams could be backed to score at 8/13.
There have been more goals after the break in three of Sporting Kansas’ last four MLS matches and a similar pattern is priced at 20/21 with bet365.
This MLS match between Sporting Kansas and Vancouver Whitecaps will be played on May 30, 2024 and kick off at 01:30. Check below for our tipsters best Sporting Kansas vs Vancouver Whitecaps prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
