Real Salt Lake vs Minnesota United Prediction: A possible draw on the cards

The game between Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United on October 3, 2024, is going to be an important one in the MLS Western Conference. Salt Lake is sitting in 3rd place with 14 wins, 10 draws, and 7 losses, while Minnesota sits in 8th place with 13 wins, 6 draws, and 12 losses. This is a battle of two teams seeking playoff positions. The outcome of this game could fix positions in the standing as the regular season draws to a close.

Salt Lake comes into the game with two wins and two draws in their last five, but recent form has them conceding four goals in the last three matches.

The preferred formation of Salt Lake this season is 4-2-3-1, where width and midfield control are necessary to maintain the balanced approach. They often build from the back and try to dominate possession of the ball-highly evident by averaging at least 49% in recent games. However, despite this fact, their direct play has been characterized by a high number of long balls-48%-hence, they try to bypass opposition press and try to exploit quick transitions on the wings. The wide players support the lone striker and attacking midfielders to make sure that Salt Lake remains a threat in the final third. Defensively, they are very strong in the duels, winning 59% of them, and in tactical battles. However, the fact that they have conceded in their last 4 games does point to some fragility in key moments.

With Salt Lake coming into this game on a 3-game unbeaten streak, their defensive worries are underlined, as they have conceded a total of 4 goals in these recent 3 matches. On the attacking front, they have been decent-their consistent goal-scoring form in recent matches has seen them score in 4 of their last 5 matches and often take the lead. Their strong point remains their ability to create chances, something that was readily apparent in their last match against Austin as they created 4 big opportunities and registered 7 shots on target. On the other hand, their recent trend for both teams scoring-GG in 4 out of 5-shows some sort of vulnerability which Minnesota might use to their advantage.

Minnesota are in strong form, having won 4 of their last 5 games after defeating Colorado 3-0 in their last fixture.

Minnesota's 4-3-3 is more direct, looking to exploit spaces as quickly as possible and attack with intent through its front three. Often being out-possessed-43% in their last outing-the pace of transitions creates danger, with recent the 3-0 win against Colorado seeing them put 10 shots on target. Minnesota uses long balls to maintain possession only 48% of the time, resorting to crosses just 10%, implying they want to break lines rather than working patiently up the field. They are somewhat conservative in their defense, as evidenced by winning 73% of their tackles, though it works well as they give up relatively few goals considering how aggressive they are offensively.

The Loons have been among the teams in form over the last weeks, winning 4 of their last 5 games. Their 3-0 demolition underlined their potent attack, especially from the number of shots on target. However, Minnesota has conceded goals in 5 of their last 6 games, and that shows while their attack is potent, the defense can be breached. A dependence on counter-attacking play might prove to be important against Real Salt Lake, who have shown a certain openness to exploit when their defenses get torn apart.

Historical comparative looks would show that Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United has been a pretty close affair between the two teams. The last 19 matches between them saw Minnesota ahead with 6 victories against Salt Lake's 3 while an astonishing 10 matches ended in a draw, clearly indicating the level nature of their affairs.

Salt Lake unbeaten in their last 4 matches against Minnesota, indicating a strong recent record.

Minnesota unbeaten in their last 3 matches. That demonstrates team resilience and shows the potential of standing up against any competing force in games that they least favour.

Both teams have shown fragile defensive lines, considering Salt Lake has conceded in the last 3 matches, while Minnesota has conceded in the last 5 meetings against Salt Lake.

Goals have been forthcoming in these fixtures too; the teams have recorded BTTS in 4 of their last 5 meetings, thus auguring another open, battling encounter.

Corner and set-piece play has been subdued, with less than 10.5 corners in six of the last eight, which does show that one or both of them don't always rely on wide-play or regular set-piece chances.

Their last meeting came in April 2024 when they drew 1-1 in Minnesota, with both sides scoring once to continue the narrative of closely run rugged draws between them.

This makes for a fascinating tactical matchup between Salt Lake and Minnesota, as the 4-2-3-1 will look to control the pace of the game through big chances and exploiting width, but their vulnerability in transition may be tested by Minnesota's quick-paced 4-3-3 built on counter-attacks and quick transitions. Minnesota will most likely allow more possession for Salt Lake, but will look to break with pace and expose any defensive errors.

While this could slightly help Salt Lake in maintaining the defensive solidity in duels and tackles, Minnesota represents an attacking threat that is clinical in finishing, as evidenced in their recent 3-0 win.

• GG (Yes) + Over 2.5 Goals 1.6 Odds
• 3 Way Total Over 3 Goals @ 2.038 Odds
• Draw FT @ 4.00 Odds