Happy Friday everyone. The beginning of a new game week in league play across Europe is upon us, as well as an interesting MLS game tonight. Leeds and Villa face off in England in what should be an entertaining matchup, and the New England Revolution look to secure their top 6 spot in the Eastern Conference against Nashville. Here are my picks.
Aston Villa vs. Leeds United - 3:00 PM EDT
Villa and Leeds' long storied histories give us an exciting Friday matchup to kick off the weekend. Villa has been on fire this season, and have not lost or drawn a game. After a 7-2 rout of Premier League champions Liverpool, they squeaked out a 1-0 win in stoppage time against Leicester last weekend. Leeds have showed promise and demand the respect of rest of the Premier League. They are 2-1-2 with 9 goals allowed and 9 goals scored. However, their 4-3 loss to Liverpool and 1-1 draw with Manchester City shows they can hang with the best of them. Villa is the definitely considered the best of them so far, with only two goals conceded this season which were the result of a Mohamed Salah brace. I like Leeds to disrupt this unreal defensive streak tonight. We ride with the over and hope for some goals to begin the weekend.
The Play: Over 2.5 Goals -155 - 1 Unit
Nashville SC vs. New England Revolution - 8:30 pm EDT
The Revs and Nashville are in a pick 'em tonight which may seem like a surprise to those who have followed along with the MLS season so far. Nashville is coming off of two wins against Houston and Dallas, and drew with New England 0-0 back on October 3. Nashville may have a 6-6-6 record, but I do not think their quality of wins and draws are as reputable as New England’s resume this season. Since the restart, New England has had five losses. Three of them were to Philadelphia, one to Toronto, and one to New York City FC. New England is for real, and have only struggled against the top 2 teams in the league and an NYCFC team they are fighting for top 6 contention with for Playoff seeding. They are a sneaky team that has gotten results in games you would not have expected. I’ve got the Revs on this side of the pick em tonight.
The Play: New England Revolution Pick Em -110 - 1 Unit