MLS 2010 Playoff Gambling Series Predictions – Salt Lake vs Dallas
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MLS 2010 Playoff Gambling Predictions
Matchup: Real Salt Lake (15-4-11) v FC Dallas (12-4-14)
Dates and Times: October 30, 5 pm (EST): at Dallas; November 6, 10 pm (EST): at Salt Lake
TV: October 30 on Fox Soccer Channel; November 6 on Fox Soccer Channel.
MLS Fixture Betting Lines and Odds Game 1 from Bodog
Money Line: Real Salt Lake (+250) FC Dallas (EVEN) Draw (+225)
After embarking on a 19-game unbeaten streak that started on June 5, FC Dallas finished the 2010 MLS season with two straight losses including a 2-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake. Not the way you would like to start a playoff run.
However, that streak was enough to land Dallas a No. 3 seed in the West, where they will face off against a Real Salt Lake team that is virtually untouchable at home. While boasting only one loss in their last 25 MLS games, Real Salt Lake is currently riding a 14-game unbeaten streak, and is arguably the odds-on favorite to hoist their second straight MLS Cup.
The two sides met twice during the regular season, with Real Salt Lake’s last loss coming all the way back in July to none other than FC Dallas in a game that ended 2-0. The second was just a reversal. With both clubs having had such good form this season and the two previous games against each other creating a 2-2 aggregate scoreline, this should have the makings of great playoff series.
FC Dallas will rely heavily on forward/midfielder David Ferreira, who doesn’t always dominate games the way you want an MVP candidate to, but is always in the somewhere in the mix offensively. He finished the regular season with eight goals and nine assists, and if Dallas wants to pull off the upset, they will need Ferreira to lead the attack. 
Real Salt Lake will mark Ferreira with Kyle Beckerman hoping to stop the Colombian capo in the midfield long before he gets into the danger zone. If Beckerman should fail, he will have plenty of help Jamison Olave, and Javier Morales, both who are capable of getting the job done.
RSL set a record this year by allowing just 20 goals, and Olave was at the heart of the team’s defensive success.
Offensively, RSL’s Alvaro Saborio will lead the charge. Not often talked about as much as some of the other strikers in the league, the Costa Rican is probably the best pure striker in MLS. He can finish his chances and scored 12 goals in the regular season.
A tie looks to be looming just because of RSL’s recent form and Dallas’ recent slide. However, RSL has not fared well at Pizza Hut Park, as recent results would suggest.
Even though Real Salt Lake is the heavy favorite, you cannot write off FC Dallas’ chances in this series. They do have home advantage in the first leg, and that could work to their favor knowing what they will need to get in the reverse match.
Prediction: Look for Saborio to get the breakthrough goal against a stout Dallas defense, taking the series with a 2-1 aggregate. (1-0 at Dallas, and 1-1 at Salt Lake)
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.
