New England stretched its unbeaten run to nine games with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Toronto FC on Saturday night. The Revolution will look to preserve that streak this coming Wednesday when they take on Sporting Kansas City who are also in the midst of a three-match unbeaten run.
Who will emerge victorious in this mouth-watering clash? Read on below for a preview of this much-anticipated MLS matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our Champions League final preview of Barcelona vs. Juventus.
[sc:Soccer ]New England Revolution vs. Sporting Kansas City Betting Preview
Where: Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kansas
When: Wednesday, May 20, 8:00 PM ET
Line: New England Revolution (+226) at Sporting Kansas City (+108), tie +210; total: 2.5 – view all MLS lines
Betting on New England Revolution
The New England Revolution extended their unbeaten streak at home to 15 games (11-0-4) with a gritty 1-1 draw against Toronto FC on Saturday. The Revolution have now scored 19 points out of a possible 27 in their last nine matches as they have stormed to second place in the Eastern Conference standings behind leaders D.C. United.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Revolution, however, will feel a bit disappointed about the result as they failed to hold on to a lead for the second game running. New England grabbed the advantage with a Juan Agudelo header in the 32nd minute before Michael Bradley equalized for Toronto with an amazing individual goal in the second half.
That slip-up was eerily similar to the Revs’ collapse against Orlando City the previous week where they squandered a two-goal lead in the final 19 minutes of the match. The onus is on the New England defense to step up its play against Sporting Kansas City. The Revolution have conceded a total of 11 goals this campaign, third-fewest in the Eastern Conference.
For the Revs to return to winning ways this coming Wednesday, they need to continue their excellent play on the offensive end. They were totally dominant in the first half against Toronto FC, recording a highly-efficient 83 percent passing rate against the Canadian club. They will need to sustain that intensity, however, for the entire 90 minutes for them to grab all three points against Sporting.
Expected to lead the New England attack in this game is the red-hot Charlie Davies. He has been on an absolute tear of late, scoring four goals in the Revs’ last five matches. He will fancy his chances of finding the back of the net against Sporting Kansas City who have already allowed 13 goals this campaign, fourth-highest in the Western Conference.
The Revolution will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing Sporting as they have won all three of their previous meetings with Kansas City. They outscored Sporting 8-3, in those three wins last year.
The Revolution are 2-2-1 on the road this season.
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Betting on Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City failed to make some ground on the Western Conference leaders as their match against the Colorado Rapids was postponed this past weekend due to inclement weather. Sporting KC remained at 14 points, seven points behind leaders FC Dallas.
That postponement, however, could be a blessing in disguise as it will give them ample time to prepare for their much-anticipated clash with New England. Sporting KC are in terrific form of late, going unbeaten in its last three matches. They are fresh off a morale-boosting 1-1 draw against D.C. United.
Sporting KC unveiled a totally different formation in that match, placing center forward Dom Dwyer alone up top through the first 70 minutes. Kansas City packed the midfield as Sporting spent the entire second half daring United to try breaking them down. Even though United controlled majority of the possession (55%) in that match, they were unable to find a winner against a resolute Sporting defense.
Benny Feilhaber has played a key role in Sporting’s shift of formation into a five-man midfield. He started out this season as a defensive midfielder but has transformed himself into a more attacking threat recently, leading the team in assists with five this season.
That gives manager Peter Vermes the flexibility to make in-game adjustments in the upcoming match against Sporting. With Kansas City playing at home this time around against New England, Vermes might to revert to his favored 4-3-3 formation this coming Wednesday. Sporting has had success with that set-up at home, as they are still unbeaten in five games at Sporting Park this season.
Key to Sporting’s success at home this campaign has been their excellent defense. They have conceded just three goals at Sporting Park this season, recording three clean sheets in their five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
New England (+226) returns to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 victory.
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