Austin FC vs Real Salt Lake Prediction: Real Salt Lake will advance

Austin FC and Real Salt Lake square off in the playoff match. Both teams have fought through the campaign to earn their place in the playoff and now only one team can progress here. Austin FC pulled a 1-1 draw against Colorado Rapids to end 4th on the MLS log while Real Salt Lake beat Portland Timbers 3-1 to end 14th on the logs. Austin FC will need to overcome a very poor run to grab a win here as they recorded just 1 win in their final 5 matches of the MLS campaign and Real Salt Lake also recorded 1 win in their last 5. 

Austin FC were lucky to earn a place in the playoffs. They were held to a 1-1 draw against Colorado Rapids. They were in quite poor form towards the end of the campaign. They had only 1 win in their last 5. All season, they had 13 wins, 6 draws and 9 losses. They ended in the 4th spot in the MLS log. Now with the season well and truly over, they have a chance to fight for the ultimate prize but they need to step up if they want to advance through to the next stage. Austin FC won 3-0 against Real Salt Lake the last time these two met. They will hope to build on that as they come into this game.

Sebastian Driussi was a top performer in this campaign, as he netted 22 goals in all competitions this season. If Austin FC are to advance, they will need players like Sebastian Driussi to dominate in the middle of the park.

Real Salt Lake also pulled a final day dramatic win against Portland Timbers to qualify for the playoffs. Jefferson Savarino opened the scoring for Real Salt Lake in the 19th minute before Rubio Rubin and Bode Davis increased their lead in the second half. Portland Timbers pulled one back in the 87th minute but it was too late to pull a comeback. 

Real Salt Lake have equally been poor in this campaign. They have only 1 win in their last 6 matches. All season, they had 9 wins, 9 draws and 10 losses. Sergino Cordova scored 9 goals in all competitions this season. They will look to him to lead the attack against Austin FC.

These two clubs have faced each other 4 times. Austin FC have 2 wins and Real Salt Lake have 2 wins. 

This could easily be anyone's game. Real Salt Lake looked sharp in the final match of the campaign but Austin FC had the confidence of the previous meeting against Real Salt Lake where they won 3-0. I expect both teams to play safe in order not to open themselves to attack.

• Bet on Real Salt Lake to Advance at 2.44 Odds
• Bet on Over 2.5 Goals at 1.62 Odds
• Bet on Correct Score 1-2 at 11 Odds