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These are the top two sides in the Western Conference at the time of writing, but there is a gap between them when looking at their home and away records.

Vancouver have the strongest home record in the Western Conference having won seven of their nine games in front of their home fans. They’ve only conceded five goals across these games, netting 22 goals in the process.

62% of Houston’s points in the Western Conference this season have come from their home matches. They’ve only won four of their nine away games, conceding 17 goals across these games. 

The gap between these sides may not be obvious when looking at the league table, but there is a clear advantage for Vancouver as the home side in this clash. 

I’m always keen to go against Montreal when they’re away from home in the MLS. 

They’ve got a dreadful record on the road over the last few seasons, and that’s continued this term - they’ve only won one of their nine away games this campaign, conceding 25 goals in the process.

Unsurprisingly, this is the worst away record of any side in the Eastern Conference. They’ve only scored 12 goals across these games as well, losing seven of their nine games. 

They take on a Columbus side who have struggled a little more than they did last term, but crucially have only lost three of their nine home games this season.

Columbus have not lost to Montreal home or away since 2022, a run spanning seven games with Columbus winning four of these games. Montreal’s recent form is also really poor, failing to win any of their last eight games in the MLS.

BTTS has landed in each of the last seven head to head meetings between these sides, stretching all the way back to 2023.

The most recent clash between these teams produced 10 goals as Inter Miami came away 6-4 winners over Philadelphia back in May - which is a good snapshot of the level of goal volume we could see from both of these sides in this encounter.

Inter Miami have seen BTTS in each of their last five matches ahead of this clash, and have also conceded 19 goals across their 11 away games this term. 

They have scored 25 goals across these games too, which is more than any other side on the road in the Eastern Conference this season. Philadelphia have seen BTTS in three of their last five matches across all competitions. 

Orlando have been the most entertaining side to watch in the MLS this season, and their style of play makes them a really good side to back for goals.

Orlando have seen BTTS in each of their last five matches and have seen 30 goals across their nine home games this campaign (3.33 per game) with a fairly equal split in the number of goals scored and conceded (16-14). 

The last two head to head meetings between these sides have seen BTTS. Furthermore, Chicago have seen 27 goals across their eight away games this term (3.3 per game), giving both sides really solid goal records ahead of this clash.

Kairat will need to make strong use of their home advantage here if they are to have a chance of coming through this tie against an Anderlecht side who come into this clash in decent form - but not many clean sheets.

The away side have kept just one shut out across their last seven matches, with this run including all four legs of their previous qualifying ties against Hammarby and PAOK. Kairat struggled a little during Champions League qualifying, but did have at least 15+ shots in all three of their home matches. 

They scored in two of these games and have a unique advantage when at home due to the weather conditions that often surround their games in front of their home fans. Kairat have not lost a single game at home domestically this term, winning seven of their 10 matches and netting 23 goals in the process (2.3 per game). 

Thun were one of the stories of the season across Europe last year, winning the Swiss Super League as a newly promoted side.

They continue to be underrated in these markets, as they were in the last round of qualifying where they scored in both legs to see off Icelandic opponents by 5-3 on aggregate. 

Thun have only failed to score once in their last 13 matches across all competitions, highlighting their impressive scoring power which should come to the fore again here. 

Lech Poznan are favourites to win this game, but their home form last season wasn’t that consistent with the Polish side only winning seven of their 17 games in front of their home fans - conceding 29 goals in the process.