Minnesota (home)
- Minnesota are in form, winning five of their last six MLS games, including a comeback 3-2 victory at Columbus last weekend.
- The Loons are fifth in the West on 20 points (6W-3L-2D), just one win away from the top three.
- Minnesota should have the momentum and home advantage to snag the win.
Austin (away)
- Austin are 11th with 13 points after a recent resurgence of two straight wins.
- Austin FC will give the Loons a good game when these MLS Western Conference rivals meet at Allianz Field on Sunday, but Minnesota should have the momentum and home advantage to snag the win.
Head-to-Head
Both teams come into the match in reasonable form, although Minnesota’s is better and they have the head-to-head advantage of not having lost to Austin at Allianz Field since 2022 .
Key Players
- Minnesota’s recent form has been built on late goals, good set-piece play and the odd player getting free in transition, particularly their main goal threat Kelvin Yeboah.
- The Ghanaian has seven goals in 11 starts this season and can score from anywhere, while set-piece specialist and defender Anthony Markanich is also worth watching as he has the most goals for any MLS defender this season, including the winner in Minnesota’s last game.
- Austin boss Nico Estévez is a possession-based coach and will try to control the tempo of this game, but he also has the tactical versatility to put players into different positions and will have to manage the minutes of returning stars like Brandon Vázquez, Owen Wolff and Dani Pereira, who add balance and attacking thrust to his team.
- Minnesota boss Cameron Knowles has also developed his playing style over the last couple of seasons, moving away from an all-out attacking game to a more patient and possession-based one to accommodate James Rodríguez.
Betting Insights
- The bookies make Minnesota clear favorites at 1.71, with Austin4.99 outsiders and the draw 4.05, but both teams have enough about them to make this a highly competitive game.
- The odds for over 2.5 goals (1.74) look generous and the weather forecast for cool and dry conditions in St. Paul should be conducive to a fast game with both sides looking for the win to close the gap on playoff places before the MLS World Cup break.
Prediction
A home win for the in-form Loons is our main bet, but the visitors are capable of pushing them close so we are taking the draw no bet option here with a 2-1 correct score prediction.
