Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake Odds & Prediction – MLS Cup Playoffs Round One (Oct 16)

• Austin FC meets Real Salt Lake in the first round of the MLS Playoffs on Sunday, October 16th
• The Verde and Black are playing their first playoff game and are the moneyline favorites
• Read below for all the Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake odds, preview and prediction

Austin FC looks to continue their magical second season in Major League Soccer on Sunday, October 16th when they take to the pitch to host Real Salt Lake at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. It’s been an incredible turnaround for the Verde and Black who showed a 25-point improvement in the standings from one year ago.

Kickoff for this first-round match is at 3 pm ET and it even though it’s October, it will be a spicy one in the afternoon Texas heat with sunny skies and game-time temperatures expected to be around 86 degrees. The hot weather should favor the home side, as they got used to playing in sweltering conditions this year.

Austin FC are the surprising No. 2 seed in the Western Conference this year, while Real Salt Lake needed a 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers on Decision Day to nab the final playoff spot in the West. Read below for all the Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake odds while we analyze the matchup and give you our best MLS bet and prediction for the game.

Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake Odds

Odds as of October 15th at Caesars Sportsbook. Use this Caesars Sportsbook promo code to bet on this MLS clash.

Austin FC is a +101 home favorite on the moneyline in their first-ever playoff match. Those odds give Austin FC an implied win probability of 49.75% to win and advance to the next stage of the playoffs. At +245, Real Salt Lake have a win probability of just 28.99%.

Over/Under & Spread

Both meetings between these two teams went over 2.5 goals this year and that’s where the total goals line stands for this one. The over boasts odds of -160, while you can bet under 2.5 goals with odds of +130.

Austin FC won the last time these two met in Texas just a month ago, with a clean sheet 3-0 victory. Moussa Djitté provided all the goals for the Verde and Black in that one, notching all three goals in just 20 minutes.

Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake Preview

While LAFC are the strong favorites, it’s amazing to see how far Austin have come in just a year’s time as they sit amongst the top 5 clubs in the MLS Cup odds at +1400.

11 out of the 14 teams in @MLS playoffs have not won MLS Cup 🏆

Which team has the best chance to win their first title? pic.twitter.com/vCTrqfgIjB

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 14, 2022

Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake sit at the bottom of that list with odds of +6500. While it took everything they had just to get into a playoff position, remember, Pablo Mastroeni’s side went all the way to the Western Conference Final as a No. 7 seed last season.

RSL had a very difficult time finding goals this year, scoring just 43 as a team. That’s the lowest number of goals scored by any team in the MLS playoffs. Claret and Cobalt have failed to find the back of the net in seven road fixtures this season, so expect them to try and make this a tactical affair and prevent many chances.

Last sesh pic.twitter.com/e8tRlLHMid

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 15, 2022

The one thing, RSL has going for them is that they’ve been competing in playoff-like matches just to ensure they got to this stage, so they have been dealing well with the pressure. On the other hand, the upstart home side failed to win any of their last three contests.

Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake Key Stats

Sebastián Driussi emerged as an MVP candidate this season scoring 22 times, good for second in the league, while Uruguayan playmaker, Diego Fagundez had 14 assists to lead all MLS. Austin’s attack improved greatly in 2022, as their 65 goals scored were the third-most in MLS.

One goal separated the top-3 goal scorers. 👀

Hany Mukhtar edged out Sebastian Driussi and Daniel Gazdag for the Golden Boot. pic.twitter.com/Wf7mutaTYd

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 12, 2022

They did struggle late in the season, scoring just two times in their final three games, two of which were home matches. Prior to that, they had won 3 consecutive matches by identical 3-0 scorelines.

When it comes to injuries, RSL is going to be missing some key players while Austin FC is relatively healthy. Bobby Wood is dealing with an adductor strain, Aaron Herrera has a sore calf, and Damir Kreilach continues to sit out after missing most of the season because of a back injury.

Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake Team Lineups and Injuries

Austin FC Projected Lineup: Stuver; Lima, Cascante, Gabrielsen, Gallagher; Ring, Pereira; Fagundez, Driussi, Finlay; Urruti

Injuries & Absences: Kleemann

Real Salt Lake Projected Lineup: MacMath; Brody, Glad, Silva, Oviedo; Chang, Ojeda, Ruiz, Savarino; Cordova, Rubin

Injuries & Absences: Wood, Herrera, Kreilach

Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake Prediction

It was a great Cinderella-type run in the playoffs for Real Salt Lake in the playoffs last year, but it feels like Austin FC is the MLS squad fit for the glass slipper this year. Although they faltered down the stretch, it’s tough to see the exciting squad going down to RSL in their first-ever playoff match.

They are healthier, have more quality players and also have the luxury of playing at home. The weather will be at its hottest point in the early afternoon when kickoff goes and it doesn’t seem as if the visitors will have the quality or stamina to compete against the Verde and Black.

All signs point to Austin FC’s first-ever playoff victory so take them in the Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake Sunday MLS odds on the moneyline at +101.

Pick: Austin FC Moneyline (+101)

DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK

Sign Up Today & Receive Up to
$1,050 in Bonuses!

LOCK IN PROMO

SIGNUP PROMO

SIGN UP
& GET $1,050

BONUS BETS + DEPOSIT BONUS

GET PROMO