Seattle Sounders vs Colorado Rapids Prediction, Preview and Odds - 10/3/21
Seattle Sounders vs Colorado Rapids
The Seattle Sounders defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 on Wednesday in San Jose. Seattle's Raul Ruidiaz scored a brace in the victory with goals in the 25th and 42nd minutes, while Cristian Roldan scored in the 49th minute. Seattle has won each of its last two matches in MLS, but was defeated by Leon in the final of the Leagues Cup 3-2. Seattle will play without Jordan Morris, Jordy Delem, Nico Lodeiro, Nicolas Benezet and Brad Smith
Colorado defeated Austin on Wednesday 3-0 at home. Colorado scored twice late in the first half on goals by Jonathan Lewis and Nicolas Mezquida, while Auston Trusty scored the third goal for the Rapids in the second half. Colorado has extended its unbeaten streak to 12 matches and snapped a run of four straight draws with the victory. Colorado does not have any players listed on its injury report.
Seattle holding off Sporting Kansas City and Colorado
The Seattle Sounders are first in the Western Conference standings with a record of 15-6-5, 51 points and a+19 goal difference. Seattle is two points clear of second-place Sporting Kansas City and three points clear of the surging Colorado Rapids. Seattle has three victories and two losses in its last five matches played and has scored six goals while allowing six over that span.
Seattle suffered a disappointing 3-2 loss to Leon in the Leagues Cup final but appears to be back on track after winning each of the next two MLS matches that followed. Raul Ruidiaz is the leading goal scorer for Seattle with 16 and Fredy Montero has six. Joao Paulo has seven assists. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei has appeared in just 9 matches and has allowed only five goals.
Colorado surging up the Conference Standings
The Colorado Rapids are third in the Western Conference standings with a record of 13-9-4, 48 points and a +14 goal difference. Colorado is unbeaten in each of its last 12 matches and is just one point adrift of second-place Sporting Kansas City and has one match in hand having played 26 matches and Sporting Kansas City has played 27. A victory on Sunday coupled with a loss by Sporting Kansas City would propel Colorado into second place.
Colorado has one victory and 4 draws in the last five matches played across all competitions and the Rapids have scored seven goals and allowed four over that stretch. Michael Barrios is the leading goal scorer for Colorado with 7 and Jonathan Lewis has scored five. Jack Price is the leader in assists with 11. Goalkeeper William Yarbrough has appeared in each of Colorado's 26 matches and has allowed only 23 goals.
Pick: Colorado Rapids +270
Although this match will be played on Seattle's home pitch, Colorado is on fire as the Rapids have gone unbeaten in each of the last 12 matches and with a victory on Sunday could tie Seattle on points for first place in the Western Conference. This will be the first meeting of the season between these two Western Conference powerhouses. On the road, Colorado has three victories and two draws in its last five matches. Over the last three matches played head-to-head between these two, Colorado has won two and one ended in a draw.
Total: Over
The total has finished over the 2.5 goals per match threshold in each of Seattle's last two matches, as well as in 3 of Colorado's last four. Colorado is scoring an average of 1.46 goals per match, while Seattle is scoring an average of 1.58 goals per match. The back lines and goalkeepers are the strength of the clubs, but on Sunday the attacks of both will push this total over.