Philadelphia Union vs Seattle Sounders Prediction: Time for Philadelphia to ditch the 4-3-1-2 for 4-3-3?!

The Philadelphia Union are living in a parallel universe right now. They've had such a slow start to the campaign with 2 draws in the opening 2 games. For a club hoping to get to the heights they attained 2 seasons ago, such a start is considered shocking. They also got a goalless draw in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League knockout round and they know what it means ahead of the second leg. Now they face Seattle Sounders in game week 3 of the league season and they have a lot of questions regarding their dipping form and dwindling performances.

Seattle Sounders have also been a victim of a horrible start to the campaign. It comes as a little surprise though, because the signs were there during preseason. So, after a draw and a defeat in the opening 2 games, it's clear that the team needs a serious change or else they might be heading for stormy seas.

Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union have struggled to replicate their quality on the pitch to produce results and there are lots of concerns raised about the quality within the ranks. They are a top club in the division and there are lots of expectations on their shoulders ahead of the new season, but at the moment they are struggling.

Their last league game ended in a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City and it was yet another disappointing performance from the team. After conceding a goal in the 19th minute, Philadelphia Union struggled to get back into the game until the 95th minute when Alejandro Bedoya scored the equalizer. 

Philadelphia Union manager Jim Curtin will feel some relief to have gotten a point in that game, but he's got to worry about the state of the team at the moment. Philadelphia were lined up in a 4-3-1-2 formation against Kansas City and they looked lost for most parts of the game. They managed only 41% of the possession and registered 2 shots on target. They had 2 big chances all game and Oliver Semmle made 6 saves. 

Philadelphia Union are a team that's used to dominating and until Jim Curtin can get them playing that way again, then the club will be heading towards a crisis.

Seattle Sounders

Seattle Sounders may not have the right setup and quality at the moment, but what they cannot afford not to have is anxiety. After a defeat and a draw in the opening 2 games, things are far from normal with the Seattle Sounders.

The Seattle Sounders manager made a significant change to the tactical setup of the team in their last game against Austin FC. In the defeat to Los Angeles on the opening day, he played a 4-4-2 formation and in their last game against Seattle Sounders opted for 4-2-3-1 formation. 

Ahead of the trip to the Subaru Park, he's most likely going to retain the 4-2-3-1 system as the team put in a better performance despite not getting all 3 points. According to the stats of the game against Austin FC, they had 57% possession, 3 shots on target and 9 corner kicks. They also had 14 shots in the opposition box and hit the woodwork once. 

If all things go well, the Seattle Sounders should be able to beat the Philadelphia Union in their own game but it's too early to feel confident.

Head to Head

According to the h2h, Philadelphia Union and Seattle Sounders have played 13 matches against each other. Both Philadelphia Union and Seattle Sounders have won 5 games and they drew 3 games.

Analysis and Predictions

It's down to the tactical setup of both teams. Both managers have not gotten the setup right for some time. For Philadelphia Union, there's still no evidence of a working system as the team is still struggling to play their best football and for Seattle Sounders the 4-2-3-1 system seems to work just fine and will probably be the default system for the team from this point on, but that is not a guarantee for the right results.

According to the h2h, Philadelphia Union have not lost the last 3 meetings and have not conceded in those 3 games. There's been less than 2.5 goals in 5 of the last 6 meetings and Philadelphia Union scored first in 5 of the last 7 meetings. There's also been less than 4.5 cards in 9 of the last 10 meetings and less than 10.5 corners in 6 of the last 7 meetings.

• Philadelphia Union Win or Draw and Over 1.5 Goals at 1.78 Odds
• Philadelphia Union Win or Draw and Over 1.5 Goals at 1.78 Odds
• Philadelphia Union to Win 2-1 at 9.00 Odds