Real Salt Lake (11-7-11) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (11-8-9)
Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 9/23/23 – As the Major League Soccer (MLS) season unfolds, the spotlight turns to an enticing clash between Real Salt Lake and the Vancouver Whitecaps, slated for Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 9:30 PM ET. The game is set to take place at America First Field and will be televised on ATV. Interestingly, both teams present nearly identical records for the season—Real Salt Lake with an 11-7-11 and Vancouver Whitecaps at 11-8-9—making the contest a closely matched affair.
Real Salt Lake has had several stand-out players this season. Jefferson Savarino has been particularly noteworthy, scoring six goals and dishing out six assists across 20 starts. Additionally, Daniel Musovski and Cristian Arango each contributed five goals with Musovski providing four assists; all these contributions should give this game added significance. However, Real Salt Lake has experienced challenges recently that make this matchup all the more significant.
Conversely, the Vancouver Whitecaps have demonstrated their strength with an array of influential players. Brian White leads in scoring with 11 goals while Ryan Gauld has netted 10 and assisted 10 more – Pedro Vite has contributed 4 goals and 2 assists as part of an effective offensive line, which should put Real Salt Lake’s defense to task. For free reliable soccer picks, continue reading our analysis.
Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 9/23/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 9:30 PM ET |
| Where: | America First Field |
| TV: | ATV |
| Stream | N/A |
Real Salt Lake GK Zac MacMath vs. Vancouver Whitecaps GK Yohei Takaoka
Real Salt Lake’s goalkeeper, Zac MacMath, has had 23 starts with 7 clean sheets to his name. With 59 saves but 29 goals against him, he has been decent but not extraordinary. His single yellow card this season points to a controlled style of play, although the goals against him indicate that there may be areas for improvement.
For Vancouver, Yohei Takaoka has been under the posts for 28 starts, tallying 6 clean sheets and 69 saves but conceding 38 goals. His performance suggests he is a fairly reliable option for the Whitecaps but will need to be at his best against Real Salt Lake’s forwards to keep his net secure.
Soccer Odds/Point Spread: Real Salt Lake +112, Total Odds: 2.5
The current betting odds slightly favor Real Salt Lake with a moneyline of +112 and a spread of -1 (+320). The Vancouver Whitecaps come in with a moneyline of +245 and a spread of +1 (-154). The total is set at 2.5, with the over priced at -138 and the under at +108. Despite Real Salt Lake’s recent form, they are considered slight favorites in this matchup.
Real Salt Lake Betting Trends
Real Salt Lake has been going through a rough patch, with a 1-3 record in their last 5 games and 1-4 against the spread in that same span. However, they have been relatively better in road games against the spread with a 9-5 record. The totals have gone OVER in 3 of their last 5 games, and 11 of their last 15 home games have also gone OVER.
Vancouver Whitecaps Betting Trends
The Vancouver Whitecaps have a balanced recent form with a 2-2 record in their last 5 games. They are 2-3 against the spread during the same period and 8-6 in their road games against the spread. In terms of totals, the team has been involved in high-scoring affairs recently, with the OVER hitting in 4 of their last 5 games.
Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 9/23/23 Betting Picks
Taking all factors into consideration, this matchup is incredibly balanced and could go either way. However, given Real Salt Lake’s recent form, Vancouver Whitecaps could exploit this opportunity. It may be wise to consider Vancouver on the spread of +1.
In terms of prop bets, considering both teams’ recent OVER trends, going over 2.5 goals at -138 could offer value. Real Salt Lake might be the slight favorite according to the bookmakers, but the recent form and attacking prowess of the Vancouver Whitecaps make them a strong candidate for at least a draw, if not an outright win. For free sports picks and more betting insights, keep an eye on these prop bets for an added layer of excitement to the game.
Free Pick and Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 2, Real Salt Lake 1