Betting on 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs: New England, Nashville On Course to Book Last-16 Berths

The most disjointed Major League Soccer season in modern memory will enter its final stages beginning Friday (November 20), when the play-in phase of the knockout round gets underway. Check our MLS 2020 predictions, latest boosted odds and get free bets bonus for the games at BetMGM in NJ/CO/IN/PA or at Pointsbet in Illinois.

Two places in the playoffs first round are yet to be decided between those teams who finished seventh to 10th in the Eastern Conference. The New England Revolution are notable favorites to beat the Montreal Impact in Massachusetts, while Nashville SC aren’t as well backed to beat Inter Miami CF in a battle between the two latest additions to MLS:

BRACKET = SET@Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs coming up! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/prkYibJDec

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 9, 2020

It’s understandable sportsbooks have thrown their support behind the Revolution, who are -150 moneyline favorites to best Montreal, who enter the play-in stage as +380 underdogs with Unibet.

New England would have qualified for the first round automatically were it not for a badly timed dip in form ending the regular campaign. One win in their final five games saw them miss out despite finishing level on points with sixth-place New York Red Bulls, and confidence levels will be helped by the fact Bruce Arena’s side have won their last three successive meetings with Montreal:

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is targeting a positive end to his first season as Impact boss, although his managerial career thus far hasn’t come close to matching his standards as a player. Montreal haven’t made it to the MLS playoffs since their semi-final appearance in 2016, but they hope to double the tally of Canadian clubs in the post-season after a 3-2 comeback win over D.C. United secured ninth in the Eastern Conference:

Thierry Henry gave a passionate speech ahead of Montreal Impact's victory in their last MLS game against DC United 💪@ThierryHenry | @impactmontreal | @MLS pic.twitter.com/gVMd8RbkVR

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 11, 2020

Nashville nor Inter Miami have historical form to quote given this is the first season for both in MLS. Both franchises can take heart from their achievement in reaching this point taking that inexperience into account, though neither will be content with missing out on the last 16:

The Tennessee hosts enjoy frontrunner status ahead of Friday’s decider, though bettors will be pleased to hear Unibet NJ has both teams at positive odds: Nashville pose good value at +140, while Inter travel to Nissan Stadium as +205 dogs.

The Herons were hit by a bitter pill in regards to team news this week after confirming Rodolfo Pizarro—their third-highest scorer this season with three goals—will be away on international duty with Mexico:

#InterMiamiCF midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro will join @miseleccionmxEN for upcoming international fixtures against South Korea and Japan.https://t.co/R657lRDYPy

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 10, 2020

Nashville kept clean sheets in each of their first two meetings with the Miami outfit this season (one win, one draw) and will be hoping to preserve that clean slate in Tennessee. Home advantage has come to mean less with fans not permitted to attend most MLS grounds, but it’s significant Inter won just two of their 11 away games this MLS campaign, while Nashville were beaten only once on their own patch.

Further to moneyline odds, Unibet offer +310 odds that Nashville will win without conceding, while the less frivolous may fancy Gary Smith’s men at -139 to win at least one half.

2020 MLS Cup Moneyline Odds

MLS Playoffs Predictions:

New England (-150) and Nashville (+140) to advance (double returns +301 odds)

2020 MLS Playoffs: Play-In Fixtures Info, Odds

Friday, November 20

New England Revolution (-150), Draw (+290), Montreal Impact (+380), 9 p.m. ET

Nashville SC (+140) Draw (+215), Inter Miami CF (+205), 6:30 p.m. ET