| Match | Recommended Bet | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| New York Red Bulls vs Toronto FC | NYRB to Win | 10/11 |
| New England Revolution vs Los Angeles FC | New England/Draw Double Chance | 4/7 |
| Houston Dynamo vs Chicago Fire | Houston to Win | 11/10 |
| Luton Town vs Middlesbrough | Luton/Draw Double Chance | 8/15 |
| Blackburn Rovers vs Charlton Athletic | Blackburn to Win | 4/5 |
| All Five Results as an Accumulator | 16.38/1 | |
- New York Red Bulls vs Toronto FC – The Red Bulls escape largely unharmed from the All Star game, but Toronto’s key man – Alejandro Pozuelo – is likely to feature in the MLS team. The Canadians have just emerged from a three-game home streak where they didn’t really convince, while the New York side have Brian White and Daniel Royer in particular playing some excellent football.
- New England Revolution vs Los Angeles FC – There will be an almighty trek up the east coast of America for LAFC’s four MLS All Star representatives: Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi, Mark Anthony Kaye and Walker Zimmerman. This is a side that has shown vulnerability of late in conceding three each against the Galaxy and Atlanta, and hosts New England – with no All Stars – should be respected. They’ve scored ten goals in their last three games, with six different scorers and another half-dozen on assist duty. The Revs are on fire.
- Houston Dynamo vs Chicago Fire – Chicago have taken 21 of their 24 points at home, which gives an insight into their away form. They may have to rest Bastian Schweinsteiger here, depending on his All Star involvement, and the German remains an integral figure for the Fire. Houston are reliable at home (W7 D3 L2) and have plenty of match winners in Elis, Quioto, Martinez and Manotas.
- Luton Town vs Middlesbrough – Celebrating back-to-back promotions, the atmosphere is raucous at the best of times at Kenilworth Road, so imagine what it will be like for Friday’s opener. Middlesbrough, with no real signings of note this summer and a re-build job in hand after Tony Pulis’ exit, could be there for the taking as far as Luton are concerned.
- Blackburn Rovers VS Charlton Athletic – Finishing last season W4 D1 L1, Blackburn have impressed in the transfer window by bringing in Stewart Downing, Bradley Johnson, Toisin Adarabioyo and Sam Gallagher. They will hit the ground running under Tony Mowbray, and should have too much for a Charlton side that has their work cut out in surviving in the Championship.