Salt Lake's Savarino set to shine in Seattle

Major League Soccer
Sky Sports 2, 10pm Saturday

Champions Seattle got off to a bad start in 2016 before going on to claim MLS glory so they won’t be overly perturbed by a poor start to 2017 – but they are hard to fancy at short odds.

Days after a 3-0 drubbing in Kansas City, the Sounders are back home accompanied by a 4-7 quote for the visit of Real Salt Lake.

This is tenth versus ninth in the Western Conference and there is little about the hosts that appeals, especially when coach Brian Schmetzer has admitted there’s a total lack of self-belief throughout the squad.

They have taken one point out of a possible 12 to slide down the rankings and Schmetzer can’t seem to get the best out of Nicolas Lodeiro and veteran Clint Dempsey.

The American is their top scorer on four but is struggling to have much of an impact tucked into midfield.

Salt Lake snapped a four-game losing streak with a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph over New York City where the returns of Nick Rimando in goal and Kyle Beckerman in midfield were significant.

They have scored only 11 in 12 matches so coach Mike Petke will be hoping Venezuelan youngster Jefferson Savarino will be able to build on an impressive first start against New York.

The top scorer for Zulia last year in the Venezuelan top flight, Savarino looks a fair price at 11-1 to score first.

Recommendation
J Savarino first scorer
1pt each-way 11-1 bet365