Sporting KC vs Philadelphia Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

Sporting KC vs Philadelphia Union Match Preview

Sporting KC take on Philadelphia Union at Children’s Mercy Park in Major League Soccer action this week. The two sides started their season with draws and will be keen on getting their first win of the season.

Sporting Kansas City are playing at home for the first time this season and they will be looking to give their fans something to cheer about. They were not great against Houston Dynamo last week but managed to take the lead right at the hour mark but were only ahead for 8 minutes.

The advantage for Sporting KC this week would be that they had a week to prepare for the game. Their league opponents were involved in the CONCACAF Champions Cup during the midweek, and that could see a lot of their players tired.

However, Philadelphia Union fans would be hoping that their players keep the momentum going. They managed a 3-3 draw against Deportivo Saprissa thanks to a goal from Mikael Uhre in extra time, and that helped them get into the second round with a 6-5 aggregate win.

The players would also be motivated by the win as they managed it with ten men. Jack Elliott was sent off in the 93rd minute of normal time and they had to play the entire extra time with a man down.

Also read: Chicago Fire vs FC Cincinnati Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

Team News

The 4-3-3 setup was clearly not helping them keep the ball for long, and that could see Vermes thinking about going in a different direction soon. However, no drastic changes are expected this weekend, and a similar team is expected to start the match at home to Philadelphia Union.

They are still without Khiry Shelton, Danny Flores and Ozzie Cisneroes but the trio are inching closer to making the return. They are expected back in training in the next few days but should make the matchday squad only in late-March.

However, they will be without Logan Ndenbe for the first half of the season after he suffered an ACL injury. Apart from them, Sporting KC have no other worries as such and should be able to go into the game with a good squad, barring late injury issues in training.

Philadelphia Union played 120 minutes in the mid-week, and there could a host of changes from Curtin. Mikael Uhre is expected back in the starting XI and could be joined by Josep Martinez. Chris Donovan impressed after coming on in the Champions Cup clash and could be handed a start this weekend.

Jack Elliott was sent off in the Champions Cup clash but is eligible to play in the league. However, he is expected to sit on the bench with Lowe joining Glesnes in the defense.

Predicted Lineups

Sporting KC are not expected to make changes to their starting XI that drew to Houston Dynamo. They fought hard to get the point on the opening day and the same players should keep their place.

Predicted XI: Melia; Davis, Rosero, Fontas, Leibold; Walter, Radoja, Thommy; Russell, Pulido, Salloi

Curtin is expected to name the same starting XI as the one that drew 2-2 to the Chicago Fire in the opening weekend. Most of his players will be tired after the game against Deportivo Saprissa, but he should have enough to name a strong starting XI.

Semmle is going to be trusted once again in goal despite letting in five goals in his last two games. He will have Harriel, Glesnes, Lowe, and Wagner starting in front of him in defence.

Martinez should be back in the starting XI as the defensive midfielder, with Sullivan and McGlynn on either side of him. Gazdag scored the late equalizer against the Chicago Fire and will be looking for more goals this week.

Carranza will be happy to see Uhre back in the starting XI against not having a great partnership with Adedeji in the midweek.

Predicted XI: Semmle; Harriel, Glesnes, Lowe, Wagner; Sullivan, Martinez, McGlynn; Gazdag; Carranza, Uhre

Sporting KC vs Philadelphia Union Head-to-Head & Prediction

Philadelphia Union 0-0 Sporting Kansas City
Philadelphia Union 3-1 Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City 2-0 Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union 2-0 Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City 1-1 Philadelphia Union

Prediction:

Sporting Kansas City will have their fans behind them this week as they play at home. However, will not have it easy as they are up against Philadelphia Union, a side they have managed to beat just once in the last five meetings.

They will have fresher players this week after getting a week-long break, and that should be a big advantage. They will need to make the most of their early chances and not let the visitors settle.

Should Vermes get the set-up right, Philadelphia Union will find it hard to break the team down.

Prediction: Sporting KC 2-2 Philadelphia Union

Betting Tips

Draw win.
Both Teams To Score: Yes.
Over 3.5 Goals: Yes.

Odds

Sporting KC Win: 2.19
Draw: 3.65
Philadelphia Union Win: 3.48

Sporting KC vs Philadelphia Union Timings & Telecast

Children’s Mercy Park – 3rd March – 01:30 GMT
India: MLS Season Pass
United Kingdom: MLS Season Pass
US: Fox, Fox Desportes and FS1