Midweek tips: MLS & Norwegian Eliteserien action

The MLS and Norwegian Eliteserien are under the spotlight this weekend as New York Red Bulls host Atlanta United and Lillestrom play Kristiansund.

Banker

It is a sign of the progress made by the MLS that they have been able to attract a player of the calibre of Gareth Bale, who has made the move to Los Angeles FC from Real Madrid.

The five-time Champions League winner was presumably not short of offers, but opted for America with a nod to playing for Wales at the World Cup finals tournament in Qatar, which starts in November. With the deal only recently being inked, everything points to the Welshman debuting on July 8, when his new club play in the ‘Clasico del Trafico’ against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Things are coming together nicely for Los Angeles, who are currently top of the Western Conference and have signed the classy Carlos Vela to an extended deal also. Vela has scored six goals for LAFC already this season and the former Arsenal youngster, who is also captain in LA, has now committed himself for a further 12 months in the wake of the Bale news.

Veteran Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini will also be joining from Juventus. Chiellini won nine Serie A titles, as well as the Coppa Italia five times, after joining the Turin giants in 2005 but even at 37 should still have plenty of offer.

The Black and Gold as a result are warm 11/2 favourites with bet365 to win the MLS Cup in December, and that might be a price worth jumping in now given some firms are as short as 3/1. New York City are the current champions and they are currently second in the Eastern Conference after claiming 27 points from 15 games.

The bookies make Philadelphia Union big runners too, with ‘The U’ sat top of the Eastern Conference as things stand having lost just once all season.

However, LAFC look the team to get with at this point, with experienced stars such as Bale, Chiellini and Vela and rising prospects such as Diego Palacios and Latif Blessing. Boss Steve Cherundolo has a lot of experience, having been part of three World Cups with USA and played over 350 times for Hannover in Germany.

Banker: Los Angeles FC to win the MLS Cup at 11/2 (bet365)

 

Value Bet

On Sunday in the Norwegian Eliteserien Lillestrom look bankers when they travel to Kristiansund BK. Kristiansund are bottom of the pile and have taken just a solitary point from their nine games so far, scoring six and shipping 19.

Lillestrom are the league-leaders and top scorers in the division, averaging exactly two goals a game (24 goals in 12 matches). Lillestrom have not won the league since 1989 but after such a strong start to their campaign but be hoping they can finally get the monkey off their back this season. However the bookies are not convinced their strong form will last, with Lillestrom still available at 20/1 to win the Eliteserien.

Bossed by the experienced Gier Bakke, LSK do have a progressive young squad and should be far too sharp for Kristiansund, who look nailed on for the wooden spoon in Norway’s top flight this season after a truly horrendous start.

LSK are 10/11 to win the match, and that looks a decent punt in itself under the circumstances. However, a 2-0 result is a 9/1 poke and could be the way to bet given how Kristiansund have been leaking goals of late.

Value Bet: Lillestrom to beat Kristiansund 2-0 at 9/1 (bet365/Betfair/Coral/Paddy Power/Skybet)

 

First Goal Flutter

New York Red Bulls host Atlanta United in the early hours of Friday morning in a match that could go either way.

The Bulls have not really found their groove on home soil this season, winning just two of their eight matches. Atlanta are down in tenth but the recent signs are they are picking up and they will be confident of claiming a win in the Big Apple.

However, a bet that appeals is the 9/2 currently on offer with Paddy Power that Luquinhas scores first. The Brazilian may be just 5 ft 7 in but he is a real livewire, either playing through the centre or cutting in from the flanks.

He has scored five goals already this season, including three in his last two matches. Patryk Klimala and Tom Barlow are also useful forwards for New York, but Luquinhas has really found his groove in recent weeks and could notch first against an Atlanta defence that has shipped 12 goals in seven matches on their travels. It’s always lively at the Red Bull Arena, and Luquinhas could be the man to get the home fans jumping in their latest Eastern Conference clash.

First Goal Flutter: Luquinhas to score first at 9/2 (Paddy Power)