Tim Michael Soccer Picks Archive

T.M. Selection: Montreal.

Toronto FC and CF Montreal get ready to battle at Saputo Stadium on Saturday afternoon and in my opinion, this one definitely favors the home side. Both have struggled to this point, and I don't think you can understate how important that the home field advantage really will prove between these sides. Montreal is off a 1-1 draw here against Columbus most recently. Sitting in last place and three points behind Toronto, expect the home side to risk life and limb here and to build on recent improved play. Toronto is off a 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati. As mentioned, home soil does matter in this matchup, as note that Montreal has won five of its last six home games against the Reds. Look for Montreal to secure all three points this time around!

T.M. Prediction: 2-0 Montreal.

T.M. Selection: Liverpool/Chelsea UNDER 3.5.

In what I believe will be a low-scoring "war of attrition," I am going to play the under here with Liverpool travelling to take on Chelsea. The Reds smashed Tottenham 5-1 last weekend, while Chelsea held on for a 1-0 win over Everton here. I'm expecting a similar final outcome in this one. Liverpool is once again back on top of the table, but I am expecting goals to be at a premium this weekend. Chelsea is 3-0 in its last three across all competitions and has been extremely tough defensively. This one has has "under" written all over it!

T.M. Prediction: 1-0 Chelsea.

T.M. Selection: Nashville.

Atlanta hosts Nashville at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and it'll be desperate to snap a three-game slide, but it's in terrible form and I think ripe for the picking. It drew with FC Dallas 1-1, but since then the Five Stripes have lost to New England (1-0), Philadelphia (3-0) and Orlando City (3-0.) With only nine points from ten games to open the season, Ronny Deila's side needs a spark, but it won't be here today against Nashville, which is super confident and off the 7-2 win over Chicago last weekend. Recent form plays a big part in the outcome of this pick. Great value here on the visiting side!

T.M. Prediction: 3-1 Nashville.

T.M. Selection: Aston Villa (EPL GOM)

Aston Villa will host this game, and it won't be taking anything for granted with Fulham sitting just one point behind it. Aston Villa is currently in seventh spot, but only five points separate it from third place. So, Champions League hopes are still alive for the home side. While Fulham is in eighth spot, six points separate the teams. With another loss, Fulham's hope for European play will essentially be over this weekend. And if recent history is any precedent, then Aston Villa has to be loving its chances as it's won five of the last six outright across all competitions in this series. Look for the home side to pour on the offense and to pull away for a comfortable win on Saturday morning!

T.M. Prediction: 3-1 Aston Villa.

T.M. Selection: Espanyol @ Valencia - UNDER 

I am on the UNDER in the Espanyol @ Valencia game on Tuesday. I believe that this will be more of a defensive minded game. Valencia has been very strong defensively in recent weeks and having given up a goal last week to Rayo Vallecano in a 1-1 draw, they won't want another one of those here. Valencia's last 5 matches only featured one reaching the 3 goal mark. Espanyol has not surrendered a goal in 3 straight matches. Look for this one to stay under the total. 

T.M. Prediction: 1-0 Valencia. 

Line: O/U 2.5, -140 

Line Parameter: play until 2.5, -160...

T.M. Selection: West Ham United - Spread 

1) West Ham United is at home and rejuvenated by the managerial change and ready to prove to everyone that the preseason excitement about this club is justified. 

2) Though Aston Villa is also, of course, a high quality club, the visitors have made a number of roster changes that I am not so sure about in terms of how much time it is going to take for this club to be a cohesive unit.

3) The market has a pick'em on the goal line and that means a draw would be a push for our wager and that is a nice value to have in backing the home team here. I look for a huge effort from the hosts in their home opener and with a new manager. West Ham lost only 4 times at home last season and Aston Villa lost 7 times on the road last season. You can see the value here with this pick'em line on the goal line. 

T.M. Prediction: 2-1 West Ham United 

Line: 0.0, -120

T.M. Selection: Real Madrid - Spread 

1) I like Real Madrid to win this game against Atalanta by a solid margin on Wednesday. Laying the 1 goal here on the goal line to avoid the heavy money line price but a multi-goal win here absolutely is to be expected. 

2) Though Atalanta has a quality club no doubt, they are simply not at the level of the top clubs in the world like Real Madrid.

3) Atalanta has not looked strong in preseason action and not only is Real Madrid the more polished and complete club, their strength has been bolstered even more with the addition of Mbappe. Look for Real Madrid to not only win the UEFA Super Cup but to accomplish it by a solid 2-goal margin. 

T.M. Prediction: 2-0 Real Madrid

Line: -1, -120

T.M. Selection: Over - Total

1) Luton Town has a number of defensive injuries. Burnley is rejuvenated with manager Scott Parker calling the shots now. 

2) The problem for Luton Town is they don't seem as strong as Burnley entering the new season yet the sportsbooks have them favored here. This indicates goals to me because I certainly do not trust Luton Town's situation on defense right now amid injury concerns.     

3) Both these clubs were in the Premier League last season but then got relegated. A big reason for that was allowing too many goals. Both clubs allowed 2 goals per game last season and I expect similar results in this match-up. Burnley has fared better in this series but Luton Town is favored here by the books. Look for a highly competitive match with a lot of attacking.    

T.M. Prediction: 2-2 draw.

Line: 2.5, -115

T.M. Selection: Under - Total 

1) Given the situation here I am expecting a tight one. Toronto only needs a draw to advance and Pachuca can still advance as well but will be willing to play another defensive match and may not have a choice in that regard.  

2) Pachuca has struggled to score of late and I look for a 1-0 defensive-minded affair. Neither club has been conceding much and Toronto will be content settling for a draw here and can rely on continued stellar defensive play.  

3) Pachuca has scored only 3 goals in last 5 matches! None of the 5 totaled more than 2 goals. Toronto off B2B clean sheets and has allowed 1 goal or less in 3 of last 4 games. Goals will be tough to come by in this one

T.M. Prediction: 1-0 Toronto

Line: 2.5, +110

T.M. Selection: Over - Total

1) 11 of 13 Vancouver matches have totaled 3+ goals. Tijuana in a desperate situation here too so they will have to throw caution to the wind so goals should be plentiful in this one. 

2) The problem for Vancouver is they have been allowing too many goals but I do like what I have been seeing from the Whitecaps on the attack. They will be able to take advantage of Tijuana needing to be aggressive here.     

3) Vancouver has scored 2.5 goals a game in last 8 games. Tijuana has conceded 2 goals a game in last 5 games on average. Tijuana has scored 7 goals in last 5 games and desperation kicks in for them here which should lead to some wide open play in this one.   

T.M. Prediction: 3-2 Vancouver.

Line: 3, -125

T.M. Selection: Over - Total

1) Portland is so strong in comparison with Colorado and installed as a 1/2-goal favorite in this game. That means there is an expectation they have potential to win this by a solid margin and I agree.

2) The problem for Portland is they concede a lot of goals but so too does Colorado when they are traveling. The Rapids likely to struggle to contain Portland here on the road but the hosts continue their high-scoring ways.    

3) These are two of the highest scoring teams in MLS and now battling it out in the Leagues Cup and I expect the goals to fly in this one.  

T.M. Prediction: 3-2 Portland.

Line: 3.50, -100