MLS Best Bets, Predictions & Expert Picks Saturday, May 23, 2026

Analysis

The model gives D.C. United a 67.5 percent chance to win this one outright. That translates to a 15.3 percent edge on the moneyline at minus 109. DC sits at 4 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses while Montreal is 4 wins, 8 draws, and just 1 loss. The offensive and defensive rankings tell a story too. DC offense ranks 26th out of 30 and faces a Montreal defense that ranks 25th. Montreal offense ranks 22nd and runs into a DC defense that sits 11th. DC scores 1.2 goals per game and allows 1.5. Montreal scores 1.4 and allows 2.1. The spread model lands at minus 0.9 against a book line of minus 0.5, which supports betting DC at minus 0.5 with a 9.2 percent edge. The total model sits at 3.3 goals against a posted 2.5 line, creating a 30 percent edge on the over. ATS trends show DC covers just 25 percent at home while Montreal covers zero percent on the road. That road trend for Montreal stands out as a red flag for betting on them here.

Public Fade

The public sees two struggling teams and might hesitate on laying money on DC. But Montreal's road cover rate of zero percent this season makes them a dangerous side to back anywhere. The model sees real value on the home side.

Analysis

FC Cincinnati carries a 73.7 percent win probability according to the model. That creates a 13.7 percent edge on the moneyline at minus 150. Cincinnati enters at 4 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses while Orlando sits at 4 wins, 8 draws, and 2 losses. Cincinnati's offense ranks fifth out of 30 and faces an Orlando defense that ranks dead last at 30th. That matchup jumps off the page. Orlando offense ranks 18th and runs into a Cincinnati defense ranked 28th. Cincinnati scores 2.1 goals per game and allows 2.5. Orlando scores 1.5 and allows 2.7. The spread model lands at minus 1.3 against a book line of minus 1, which supports betting Cincinnati minus 1 with a 4.9 percent edge. The total model comes in at 3.5 goals, exactly matching the posted line with zero edge. Cincinnati's offensive firepower against Orlando's league worst defense creates the clearest path to value on the moneyline.

Public Fade

Orlando's recent form might tempt some bettors to take a shot on the road side. But that 30th ranked defense against a top five offense creates a mismatch the public might be overlooking. Cincinnati should control this game.

Analysis

St. Louis CITY SC earns a 73.2 percent win probability in the model. That creates a 13.2 percent edge on the moneyline at minus 150. St. Louis enters at 3 wins, 6 draws, and 4 losses while Austin sits at 3 wins, 6 draws, and 5 losses. St. Louis scores 1.0 goal per game and allows 1.5. Austin scores 1.4 and allows 2.0. The spread model lands at minus 0.9 against a book line of minus 1, which supports a lean on Austin plus 1 with a 1.7 percent edge. The total model comes in at 2.5 goals, matching the posted line with zero edge. St. Louis offense ranks 28th out of 30 and faces an Austin defense ranked 24th. Austin offense ranks 24th and runs into a St. Louis defense ranked 14th. Head to head this season, St. Louis is 0 and 1 against Austin with an average margin of minus 2.0. That prior result might give some pause, but the model sees St. Louis as the stronger side at home with real value on the moneyline.

Public Fade

The head to head result from earlier this season might push some bettors toward Austin. But that was one game and the current form plus home field advantage shifts the math in St. Louis favor. The model trusts the moneyline here.