MLS Betting: Best Sportsbooks & How To Bet

Whoo, let's bet on soccer, Ladies! There is a game on nearly every night during the MLS season, running from March to October. The playoff happens in October and November, ultimately culminating in the crowning of an MLS Champion. 

MLS betting, as all other betting, has its unique characteristics - we'll cover that, and more, below.

Let's jump in!

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MLS betting lines and odds

Before you bet anything, you need to understand some betting basics:

• Totals: Totals represent the anticipated number of goals both teams will score in a match. You can place a bet on whether the total will be "over" or "under" that specified number. For instance, if the total for an MLS match between the LA Galaxy and the Seattle Sounders is set at 3.5 goals, betting "over" means you win if the teams collectively score 4 or more goals. These wagers generally come with odds around -110.
• Goal spread: In MLS, goal spread betting is akin to a point spread bet, where a standard goal spread of 1.5 goals is applied to the match. The favored team must win by more than 1.5 goals, while the underdog can lose by up to 1.5 goals for a bet on them to succeed. This type of bet offers the potential for higher payouts for favorites and serves as an alternative to moneyline betting when the odds for the favored team are less favorable.
• Moneyline bets: Moneyline bets are straightforward; you choose the team you believe will emerge victorious. If you encounter odds such as New York Red Bulls -200 and Atlanta United +175, it signifies that the Red Bulls are the favorites, and you would need to wager $200 to earn $100 in profit. Conversely, a $100 bet on Atlanta United would yield $175 if they secure a win as the underdogs.
• Draw no bet: In this one, you will get betting odds for the game without a chance of the draw. A draw in the MLS is a tie at the end of the game. So, a draw would give the money back, which changes the odds for either side you are betting on.

In MLS betting, odds are presented in three formats: American, decimal, and fractional:

• American odds: These are expressed as either positive or negative numbers (+125 or -125), indicating potential payouts.
• Fractional odds: Multiply your wager by the fraction to calculate your potential profit.
• Decimal odds: These depict the total potential payout, including your initial bet, using a single number. For example, 2.25 signifies that you would earn $2.25 for every $1 staked, while 3.35 equates to $3.35 for each $1 bet.

Other popular soccer betting types

There are many other popular MLS bets to consider, including various futures odds such as:

• Odds to win the MLS Cup: You can place this bet before the season begins, with oddsmakers evaluating team rosters and off-season moves to assign odds for each team's championship prospects. These odds may change during the season based on team performance.
• Odds to win conference: Both the Eastern and Western Conferences have their favorites and odds, offering bettors opportunities to predict conference champions.
• Odds to win Supporters' Shield: Similar to divisional titles, these bets focus on the team with the best regular-season record, with shorter odds due to fewer teams competing for the Supporters' Shield.
• Odds to win MVP: Bettors can wager on the player they believe will be named the MLS Most Valuable Player, either before or during the season.
• Odds to win Rookie of the Year: This bet allows you to predict which rookie player will make the most significant impact in their first MLS season, often providing favorable odds on less-heralded players.

Prop bets

Prop bets are centered around specific in-game events, such as player performances. 

For example, in a game between the LA Galaxy and the Seattle Sounders, you might have opportunities to bet on props like:

• Chicharito Over/Under 0.5 Goals
• Raul Ruidiaz Over/Under 1.5 Shots on Goal
• Nicolas Lodeiro Over/Under 2.5 Assists

Betting on the MLS playoffs

Unlike the College Football National Title or the Super Bowl, which are single-game events, the MLS Playoffs run for a month or so. 

MLS Playoff betting is no different than betting on regular season games. The playoffs typically start in October, culminating with the MLS Cup Final in November. 

With so many teams in the postseason, the playoffs consist of various rounds, including knockout stages and conference championships. These rounds continue until a champion is ultimately crowned. 

Despite this, the core principles still apply: keep an eye on how much you're spending and assess the teams, players, coaches, and matchups before making a bet.

What to know before placing your first soccer bet

Ok, once you're ready to bet on the next soccer game, consider these tips:

Understand the line movements

Line movements (meaning, when the odds suddenly change) happen for specific reasons that will be relevant to your betting decisions. This usually happens when the sportsbooks try to sway bets in a particular direction, or when there is a surge of money on one side. 

Keep an eye on injury the reports

MLS lineups can change last minute, and sportsbooks don’t always adjust the odds straight away. Listen to the news to keep up with injuries and lineup changes. This can give you an edge so that you can jump on good odds before they shift.

Here are couple of things to condiers. 

First, home vs. away matters.  Some teams dominate at home but fall apart on the road. Look at past performances to spot patterns. A strong home record or a weak away streak can make all the difference in your bet.

Second, start small if you're not sure about your bets. If you’re just getting into MLS betting, start with smaller bets while you learn the league’s quirks. As you get more confident, adjust your bets—just don’t go all in too soon.