The final match of this round of Major League Soccer fixtures sees Sporting Kansas City welcome Philadelphia Union to Children’s Mercy Park. Having begun this week of fixtures sitting top of the Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City have dropped down to second place following a victory for FC Dallas over DC United. That result has seen Sporting Kansas City drop to second place on goal difference and a win or a draw in this match will see them regain top spot.
Philadelphia Union make the trip to Kansas knowing a win would move them closer to the playoff places in the Eastern Conference. However, the priority for Philadelphia Union must be to move away from the lower reaches of the table as they are currently closer to the bottom than the playoff positions.
Sporting Kansas City Form
Sporting Kansas City are enjoying a good season and come into this match undefeated in their last 7 in all competitions.
With 3 wins and 3 draws in the MLS and 2 wins in the US Open Cup, Kansas City are still in with a chance of winning the double this season. Sporting Kansas City are very difficult to defeat at home and have not tasted a loss in their previous 18 home MLS games.
They have won 6 and drawn 3 of their 9 home MLS games this season but 2 of the 3 draws have come in their last 2 home matches.
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union were knocked out of the US Open Cup by New York Red Bulls at the end of June but responded well with a 3-0 home win over New England Revolution in the MLS last week.
That win was the second on the trot in the MLS for Philadelphia Union, who previously defeated DC United 1-0, also at home. However, playing away has been a different matter and Philadelphia Union have won 1 of their last 12 away MLS games.
If you look back further, Philadelphia Union have won just 4 of their last 28 away MLS games and this is a team who do not like to travel.
Team News
This is where things swing in favour of Philadelphia Union, as Sporting Kansas City with be without Matt Besler, Graham Zusi and Dom Dwyer who have been called up to the United States Gold Cup squad. This is a big blow.
Philadelphia Union have lost Alejandro Bedoya and Andre Blake to the Gold Cup, with doubts over Warren Creavalle, Fabian Herbers and Jack Elliott. Maurice Edu is injured.
Top Betting Tips
Sporting Kansas City come into this match as the favourites with the bookmakers, priced at 4/6 with Ladbrokes.
However, with key players missing, Sporting Kansas City could be there for the taking in this match. They have failed to win their last 2 home games and Philadelphia Union, despite losing 2 of their last 3 away MLS games, have never lost by more than a single goal.
Therefore, the draw is the more likely outcome in this match and can be backed at 11/4 with Ladbrokes.
Philadelphia Union have conceded an average of 1 goal per game in their last 7 away from home, with Sporting Kansas City scoring 1 in each of their last 2 at home. The 1-1 draw is available at 7/1 with William Hill.