Vancouver currently lead the way in the Western Conference having won 10 of their 16 games in the MLS so far, losing just one of those encounters. Their away record is just as strong, with Jesper Sorensen’s side yet to taste defeat from their seven away games this season (four wins, three draws).

This has the makings of a really exciting game. Columbus have seen BTTS in each of their last five matches across all competitions, but have fallen away slightly from their fast start to the season with no wins across these last five fixtures. Their downturn in form was cemented by a 5-1 defeat to Inter Miami last time out, which leaves them six points adrift of Philadelphia, who currently lead the way in the Eastern Conference. 

This is the first meeting between these sides since 2022, so there aren't really any head-to-head comparisons we can draw here, but Columbus’ home games tend to be pretty open with 25 goals across their nine games so far in front of their home crowd (2.77 per game). Columbus have shown that even with a period of poor form, they can score goals and should maintain this threat against a high-flying Vancouver side.

Philadelphia sit top of the Eastern Conference after 17 games, winning 10 of those encounters and only ending up on the losing side on three occasions. Their home record is just as promising, with five wins from their nine games in front of the home crowd, losing just once across these fixtures. Philadelphia have plenty of scoring power at home, finding the back of the net 20 times across their nine home games this term. 

They take on a Charlotte side that has performed decently so far in the Eastern Conference and sit just inside the play-off spots. However, the majority of their positive results have come at home, with just two wins from their nine away games this season, losing six of these matches. Philadelphia’s scoring power could be their undoing here, seeing as Charlotte have shipped 18 goals across their nine away fixtures this campaign - only Chicago (22) and DC United (19) have conceded more goals on the road than Charlotte this season. 

The most recent head-to-head meeting between these sides took place in July 2024 and saw Philadelphia run out 1-0 winners. Charlotte have come out on top in just one of the last five head-to-head meetings between the sides, adding a historical advantage to Philadelphia’s superior form and league position when compared to Charlotte. In terms of recent form, Philadelphia are unbeaten across their last 11 matches, managing to win seven of these encounters. Charlotte have only won one of their last five away matches, losing the other four, which is a record that will further encourage the Eastern Conference leaders here.

Chicago have been the most entertaining side across both conferences in the MLS this season. They’ve seen BTTS in each of their last five matches across all competitions, managing to come out on top in four of those meetings. This would suggest that Chicago are a side that try to outscore the opposition instead of relying on a defensive structure, and this approach has been pretty effective for them so far. 

Chicago’s metrics are a bit all over the place, they boast the best away record in the Eastern Conference with six wins from their 10 trips this campaign, but have also conceded the most goals of any side on the road (22), feeding into the argument that this Chicago side doesn’t care very much about keeping clean sheets and trust their attacking players to perform. At home, they’ve seen 14 goals across their six matches (2.33 per game), with four of those games ending in draws, quite a contrast to their away performances. 

Nashville are currently 4th in the Eastern Conference, five points away from Philadelphia, who lead the way after 17 matches. Nashville have seen BTTS in four of their last five matches across all competitions, which lines up nicely with Chicago’s record in their recent fixtures. These sides faced off in April in what was a fascinating encounter that saw Nashville run out 7-2 winners. We can expect similar entertainment here from two sides that have seen plenty of goals at both ends in their recent fixtures. 

Houston will be hoping to break into the play-off spots in the Western Conference for the first time this season when they take on a Montreal side who currently sit rock bottom of the Eastern Conference, with their away record making for particularly troubling reading. 

Montreal have only won one game this season, which was actually away from home, but otherwise their travels haven’t been too successful. They’ve lost seven of their 10 games on the road this season, only Atlanta (2) have picked up fewer points on the road than Montreal in the Eastern Conference this season. Their recent form is also pretty concerning, they’ve lost four of their last five matches and conceded 16 goals across these games, which is a record that will encourage Houston. 

Houston have been steady at home so far, avoiding defeat in four of their nine games in front of their home crowd. They’ll see this as must-win given Montreal’s shocking away form this season and the fact that the away side have only won one game all season. Houston have won two of their last five matches and should be motivated to push on into the play-off spots here against a poor Montreal side.