MLS is one of the most exciting soccer leagues in the world. North America’s version of the English Premier League is ideal for people who want to bet on MLS games throughout the year. Typically, each team plays 34 regular-season games prior to playoffs, with 14 top-tier American and Canadian clubs competing for the MLS Cup which is normally decided in early November. Before making your soccer picks be sure to know how to bet it.
But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and like other major sports leagues such as the NBA, NHL, and MLB, Major League Soccer had to pivot and adjust the MLS season with their MLS is Back Tournament, July 8 – August 11 in Orlando, Florida.
Below we’ll show you how to bet on MLS, and the restart of Major League Soccer. You’ll find everything you need to know that’s related to MLS betting, from MLS odds to the different types of bets to help you make strategic MLS predictions and smart MLS picks.
What are the Best MLS Soccer Odds?
Even though positions in MLS are considered weaker than European leagues, international soccer stars are still signing with MLS teams. The game is growing in popularity which means the best soccer betting sites are offering more MLS betting odds, giving sports bettors the chance to cash in big.
When you visit an online sports betting site, you’ll see odds that look like this:
| MLS CLUB | MONEYLINE |
|---|---|
| New York Red Bulls | -125 |
| Los Angeles FC | +230 |
The soccer club with the minus sign (-) in front of their odds is the favorite. The other team with the plus sign (+) in front of their odds is the underdog. This is universal across all sportsbooks.
Soccer Picks: The odds you see listed here are displayed in American style. You can also choose to display odds as Fractional (4/5) or Decimal (1.80), as bettors in the U.K. are more inclined to use. North Americans typically use American odds.
How to Bet on MLS Moneyline
To make a moneyline wager, you simply have to pick a team to win. However, in MLS there is the possibility that the match will end in a draw (tie). This will be represented by a third line underneath the matchup.
| MLS CLUB | MONEYLINE |
|---|---|
| New York Red Bulls | -125 |
| Los Angeles FC | +230 |
| DRAW | +260 |
If you were to bet $100 on New York, you’d get a payout of $180. You would get your $100 back plus your winnings of $80. If you were to bet $100 on Los Angeles, you’d get a payout of $330. You would get your $100 back plus your winnings of $230.
Bets on underdogs are riskier, which is why they pay more. Because there is less risk associated with the favorite, you won’t make as much.
Our Odds Calculator is the perfect gambling tool to show you how much you’d win based on the odds and amount wagered.
Betting on MLS: MLS Betting Market / Soccer Picks
Now that you know how to read MLS betting odds, let’s take a look at some other types of bets you can make on MLS soccer.
Totals or OVER/UNDER
Totals wagering, also referred to as OVER/UNDER betting, is a wager in which you need to determine if the total number of goals scored by both clubs will be greater or less than the oddsmaker’s set number. When making your MLS predictions today, keep in mind that the average total in soccer is generally 2.0 goals.
Point Spread: Betting Against the Spread (ATS)
For the point spread bet, oddsmakers give the underdog an advantage before the match begins, and the favorite is put at a disadvantage. Unlike the NFL where spreads are high, MLS spreads are typically small.
Toronto FC -1.5
Seattle Sounders FC +1.5
In the example above, Toronto would need to win by two or more goals to cover the spread. For Seattle to cover, they would have to win the game outright or lose by no more than one goal.
A term you’ll notice on some of our pages is “ATS” which stands for “against the spread” and indicates the win based on picks that are made against a spread set by oddsmakers.
In betting MLS, the spread is the number oddsmakers use to give soccer bettors more betting options other than just wins and losses.
Props
Prop bets are wagers that are based on the occurrence or non-occurrence of certain milestones which may not correlate to the outcome of a particular match. Prop bets are meant to be a lot of fun. Some examples include:
- • Will there be a shutout?
- • Will Player X score a goal?
- • How many corner kicks will there be in total?
- • How many yellow and/or red cards will be handed out?
- • How many goals will be scored in the second half?
Live Betting
In-play betting gives bettors the option to wager on soccer matches as they’re unfolding in real time. Live bets are created and offered to the public once the game begins. You can bet on things like:
- • Which club will score first?
- • How many penalty kicks will there be?
- • Will there be a goal scored between the 20th and 30th minute?
If you see action you like, take it fast before it’s gone because live odds disappear as fast as they appear.
Parlays
A parlay bet is a sports bet that combine multiple straight bet wagers on one betting slip. Usually, bettors pool straight-up bets with spreads and totals. But, you can have multiple versions of the same wager as long as it’s on different games.
For example, Atlanta United FC’s moneyline parlayed with OVER 1.5. For this bet to cash, Atlanta would need to win and would need the match to have two or more goals. With parlays, the potential payout increases, but the difficulty increases as well.
Future Bets / Soccer Picks MLS
MLS betting odds vary depending on the online sportsbook you use to make your bets. MLS futures betting is quite popular. A futures bet for MLS is a wager you can make on an event that will take place weeks or even months in advance. Some top sportsbooks may offer future bets on:
- • Who will win the MLS Cup Final?
- • Which teams will qualify for the playoffs?
- • Who will win the Golden Boot (most goals scored by a player)?
- • Who will win Most Valuable Player?
Futures bets can provide you with a big payoff in the long run. The only downfall when making MLS futures is that your money can be tied up for an extended period of time. Be sure to check out our Soccer Picks online.
MLS Betting Strategy and Tips
In order to become a better bettor, you need to have a betting strategy. Coming up with some sort of system is crucial if you want to be successful with your MLS wagers. MLS requires the same attention to detail as any other sport, especially when it comes to finding daily value. There are many things to consider before making a bet:
- •Soccer Picks: Research clubs/matchups (good form vs bad form).
- • You’re only betting on the result after regulation/full time (90 mins + injury time).
- • Pay attention to the transfer window.
- • Check media coverage daily for updated news and injuries.
- • Compare Eastern Conference vs Western Conference teams.
- • Home teams have a distinct advantage in the MLS.
- • Look for the best MLS sportsbook odds available.
- • Analyze the odds and make your bets accordingly to maximize your profits.
What Are The MLS Standings?
The MLS is Back Tournament uses elements from international tournament formats with group and knockout stages for the 24 participating teams. The group stage games count in the MLS regular-season standings while the winner of the tournament will earn a berth in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.
