Published Nov 4, 4:26am ET by
Alex Dudley - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Nov 4, 4:26am ET
Credit: Shutterstock
Updated Nov 4, 4:26am ET
The excitement of the MLS Playoffs steps up a gear on Saturday, as a Game Three in the Minnesota United vs. Seattle Sounders series is set. You can find our picks here.
Seattle reignited their playoff aspirations in the middle game of the series after registering a 4-2 success on Monday evening.
However, there is a sense that the Sounders have been the better team in both of the previous encounters between the sides. But, they will need to claim a victory on the road to book their spot in the Western Conference semi-finals on Saturday.
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| Minnesota United | TBA |
| The Draw | TBA |
| Seattle Sounders | TBA |
Minnesota United will have the important home-field advantage for Game Three on Saturday. However, it is worth considering that they struggled to break down the Sounders in the first meeting between the sides last Tuesday.
United failed to create many clear scoring chances, and were ultimately fortunate to land success following a penalty shootout. Minnesota have been slightly better in front of goal in home matches, scoring 1.61 efforts per 90.
Meanwhile, they have excelled defensively after keeping clean sheets in 39% of their home fixtures.
There is little doubt that the Seattle Sounders have been the better team across the opening two playoff meetings between these sides. Therefore, they were good value to level the series against Minnesota on Monday evening.
Unlike in Game One, the Sounders were clinical in the final third of the field, hitting the target with six of their nine shots. Their offensive quality dazzled in the opening 40 minutes, with Obed Vargas, Jordan Morris, and Danny Musovski all scoring.
A similar display on Saturday will make them very hard to oppose when making Minnesota United vs. Seattle Sounders picks.
| TOTAL | Minnesota | Seattle | DRAWS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 27 | 6 | 16 | 5 |
| Goals | 74 | 27 | 47 |
Seattle have been the team playing on the front foot in both of the playoff meetings between the sides, and if they are clinical in the final third on Saturday, then they should have the quality to book their spot in the conference semi-finals.
We could foresee them scoring early, before netting two more goals in the second half to record a 3-1 win on the road.
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Pick
Seattle Sounders
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