Minnesota United vs St. Louis City SC Prediction: Minnesota United Aim for Playoff Spot

The Loons take on St. Louis City SC on October 20, 2024, at Allianz Field with huge implications for their MLS match. Considering both teams are jockeying for position in the West playoff implications are aplenty in this match. Minnesota United are sitting in 7th place, since they managed to get on a four-game unbeaten streak lately, while St. Louis City SC comes 12th and is fresh from a convincing 3-0 win. This game is an opportunity for Minnesota United to nail their playoff ambitions, while St. Louis City will be keen to bridge such a scoreline gap, looking ahead to prove their capability against a team that sits above them.

Minnesota come into this tie with decent form, having won three out of their last five matches. Their 1-0 win against Vancouver showed the defensive steel that has helped them win games this season, with MOTM Carlos Harvey leading from the back. Against a side that enjoyed most of the possession, the tactical discipline and creation of big chances helped Minnesota seal all three points. Eric Ramsay's side will be keen on continuing with their recent defensive solidity, having not conceded in four straight matches.

Minnesota United probably won't deviate from the 3-4-3 that has worked for them during this undefeated streak. Ramsay's system is based on keeping shape at the back, with solid wing-backs and a coherent back three keeping the opponents from trying too much. With low possession numbers, Minnesota does well when transitioning fast and taking full advantage of those few chances. The fight will be integral in midfield, and one where Minnesota managed to win their duels-49% in the last outing-and long balls, 47%, to neuter the St. Louis pressing game.

Where St. Louis City SC have been inconsistent, their attacking capabilities were truly on display in that comfortable 3-0 win over Houston. That attack was spearheaded by a two-goal performance from Simon Becher, and John Hackworth will be looking for his team to continue this momentum. St. Louis has been part of plenty of high-scoring games this season, with over 2.5 goals scored in 9 of their last 10 matches. However, the defensive vulnerabilities remain their headache, particularly with the tendency of giving away early goals in matches.

For St. Louis, they are likely to use their same 4-4-2, stretched out into a form that will allow them to use their wingers to stretch the field and hit crosses into the box. The pressure from the visiting team would probably be on trying to exploit Minnesota's wing-backs in hopes of creating overloads on the flank. Their directness of play is pegged at 61% long balls successfully completed, to bypass Minnesota's midfield and reach their forwards as quickly as possible. However, they will have to be aware of the defensive solidity of Minnesota, who have kept a clean sheet in four successive games.

Minnesota has been on top in three of their last meetings, leading 2-1 over St. Louis. In the last meeting in September, the match ended 3-1 to further underline this supremacy in favor of Minnesota. St. Louis are quite fragile in front of Minnesota, as they have given away three goals in the last two games to the latter. With Minnesota in their current form and defensive record, St. Louis will have to find a way to pierce through what has been a resilient backline.

Minnesota United go into this game on the back of four games unbeaten and with their last five having seen just four goals against them. Much of this has been due to the ability to shut down a team's attack, as was seen in their last outing with MOTM Carlos Harvey putting in crucial defensive interventions. Minnesota does often concede possession while looking to fast transition, though, which may be perilous against St. Louis, who have looked extremely good through direct, high-pressing play.

St. Louis City SC shouldn't be taken for granted, even as they sit lower in the table. Their recent win over Houston underlined their attacking capabilities, with Simon Becher's clinical finishing a threat. However, St. Louis's defensive frailties-particularly a worrying habit of conceding first in 7 of their last 8 games-could be their undoing against a Minnesota side that's proven efficient at converting chances.

• Home Win/Draw + Under 4.5 Goals @ 1.67 Odds
• Multi Goals 1-3 @ 1.66 Odds
• Under 11 Corners @ 1.83 Odds