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Columbus vs. Philadelphia Preview | MLS Free Pick (Aug. 5)

Our MLS soccer betting experts weigh in with a short preview and free pick for the matchup between Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union. Onto the week’s MLS matchup of the week…

MLS Soccer Predictions – THURSDAY Aug 5, 2010 – Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union

Did you know Major League Soccer Odds are live and ready to be bet on today!!!

The MLS began its 15th season this year and we’ve finally decided it’s time to give this league some handicapping love and provide some free SOCCER gambling analysis every week.

Onto the week’s MLS preview and prediction for the week.

ESPN2, ESPD – 7:30 pm EST – MLS Betting Odds – Columbus 10-4-4 (Road: 2-2-4) at Philadelphia 4-8-3 (Home: 3-1-2):

Columbus +160
Philadelphia +160
Draw: +225

The Eastern Conference-leading Crew will try to rebound from a 3-1 loss to last place Chivas USA on Saturday when they make their first-ever visit to PPL Park to take on MLS new kid on the block, the Philadelphia Union.
The Union are currently sitting in sixth place in the East having picked up results in four of their last five matches, including wins over Seattle and Toronto within the last month.

The side has improved their form and will want to conclude its four game home stand with a win, a place they have faired well going 3-1-2.

Forward Alejandro Moreno will be playing against his former team of two seasons before being snatched up by Philly in this year’s expansion draft.

He will get some help from the Union’s two newest reinforcements Eduardo Coudet and Justin Mapp, both who saw action in their club debut on Saturday at New England, as well as rookie Danny Mwanga.

Forward Sebastien Le Toux, leads the squad with eight goals, and has scored in each of his last two games, and three of the last five for the Union.

He and Mwanga have combined for 13 of Philadelphia’s 19 goals this season.
Meanwhile, Columbus will be without their third best goal scorer, Eddie Gaven who left 13 minutes into Saturday’s loss, with what appeared to be a head injury after a mid-air collision with Chivas keeper Dan Kennedy.

Gaven has three goals and leads the club in minutes played with 1,521.

With Gaven out of the line up, the side will need more production from forward Steven Lenhart, whose 88th minute strike against Chivas was his first since May 1.

But it will take more than Lenhart to square up the Crews offensive woes. Leading scorer Guillermo Barros Schelotto has hit a dry spell, netting just one goal in his last 11 matches after returning from a one-game suspension for a wild elbow on back on May 15.

If Schelotto and Lenart can find their zone, they should be able to work together maintaining extended periods of possession resulting in quality scoring opportunities for Columbus.

Columbus vs Philadelphia Free Pick:

Columbus has allowed the fewest goals (16) in the East this year, and will need to find a way to stop Philadelphia’s LeToux. If they can score early and hold the lead, which they have failed to do in recent history, they are likely to come away with an important win on the road, holding on to their six-point lead over New York in the East.

Columbus 2-1.

We will continue to provide free weekly MLS gambling predictions due to the responses we’ve gotten on ourSoccer handicapping forums, and survey responses we’ve conducted on our soccer betting blog.

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Matt Martz is a sports writer for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.

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Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"