St. Louis City vs DC United Prediction: Seagulls set for high-scoring success

Two sides who have enjoyed solid starts to their respective MLS seasons are set to clash at CITYPARK on Sunday morning as St Louis City welcome DC United for an West-meets-East clash.

The hosts have begun the campaign by going unbeaten in their opening four games, although three of their matches have finished level, meanwhile DC’s sole loss in their opening quartet of fixtures came against title favourites Inter Miami, suggesting a close match could unfold in Missouri.

Team news

South African Njabulo Blom suffered a knee injury in St Louis’ season opener and remains out with the same issue, but he is the hosts’ only absentee.

Steven Birnbaum and Tyler Miller are certain absentees for the visitors, with Russell Canouse also a major injury doubt.

Pedro Santos was sent off late on in DC’s defeat to Inter Miami and will also miss United’s trip to Missouri.

Match Odds

St Louis are Evens to take the spoils on Sunday, with the draw available at 12/5 and DC United at 9/4.

Both teams finding the net seems likely with little to split the pair, as the 4/7 available in that market suggests, while over 2.5 goals has landed in the hosts’ last two matches so the price of 4/6 for that outcome seems fair.

St Louis striker Samuel Adeniran has managed two goals in his four appearances this term and is the 9/2 favourite to open the scoring on Sunday, with in-form DC marksman Christian Benteke the market leader for the visitors at 11/2.

DC United or Draw double chance @ 4/5

St Louis may have made an unbeaten start to their second ever MLS season, but that may be about to change against a DC United side who have shown signs of being a serious title contender through their opening four games.

DC won their opener in emphatic fashion when beating New England Revolution 3-1 and racking up a ludicrously high 5.0 expected goals in the process, before going on to hold high-flying Portland Timbers and 2023 MLS Cup semi-finalists Cincinnati to draws.

A line can be put through their loss to Inter Miami given the talent in that Lionel Messi-led side, and they should have enough to at least avoid defeat against St Louis, who rate a much easier opposition.

The hosts’ two home matches have seen them draw with Real Salt Lake and beat New York, but neither of those sides are expected to be in the playoff picture later in the season and City were somewhat lucky to come away with a point from their visit to Los Angeles as the Galaxy dominated proceedings, winning the shot on target count 9-4 in that clash.

Given the opposition they have faced, DC’s start to the season has been far better than their points tally suggests and their expected goals total of 10.46 through four games, which can only be bettered by Miami’s 10.54, goes to show how talented Troy Lesene’s side is.

Take the visitors to come away from their trip to Missouri with at least a point, with 2-1 to DC  appealing as a correct score bet at 10/1.

Christian Benteke to score @ 7/4 

Benteke began the season in style by notching all three goals in DC’s 3-1 win over New England, but unfortunately missed his side’s next two matches through injury.

He returned against Miami and, despite not scoring, looked lively throughout, notching three shots on target and causing constant issues for the Inter defence with his strength and aerial ability.

Lesene’s system is built around Benteke, as shown by his record of 10 shots in two appearances this term, and he should get plenty of chances against a St Louis defence which has shipped six goals already this term.

Back Benteke to find the net in Missouri and build on his opening day hat-trick.

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