Betting: How to watch and bet on MLS plus three best bets for the weekend

Major League Soccer returned with a bang last weekend as 41 goals flew in across 12 matches in North America.

Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers shared a 3-3 draw whilst Seattle Sounders welcomed FC Cincinnati to the league with a 4-1 drubbing at CenturyLink Field.

Every single MLS match is available to watch and bet on with bet365 – as well as a host of other leagues including Serie A and La Liga – and ahead of this weekend’s offering, we have picked out three bets.

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Houston Dynamo vs Montreal Impact – Houston to win at Evens (2.0)

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Home advantage is so important in MLS and this is easily demonstrated by the fact that 54 per cent of all matches last season ended in a home win.

In comparison, just 42% of La Liga matches and 42% of Serie A games this term have ended in a home victory.

Houston are unlikely to make many waves this season but should be able to take full advantage of a Montreal side that had to travel over 2,500 miles to San Jose last week and now face a 3,000 mile roundtrip to Texas.

New York City FC vs DC United – Over 3.5 goals at 11/8 (2.38)

Like home wins, MLS almost guarantees goals. Last season saw 3.19 strikes in per game. That's well above average compared to the likes of Serie A (2.66), La Liga (2.52) and the Premier League (2.82).

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New York scored 59 goals last term whilst conceding 45, and began this campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw in Orlando.

DC, meanwhile, netted in 17 of their final 20 games last season after signing Wayne Rooney, and the 23 goals they scored away from home was the seventh-most of all teams.

Atlanta United vs FC Cincinnati – Atlanta to win and both teams to score at 7/4 (2.75)

This season has not quite gone to plan for Atlanta, last season’s MLS Cup winners. The Five Stripes have struggled on the road in the Champions League, most recently going down 3-0 at Monterrey, and were the only team not to score in MLS last weekend.

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The sale of Miguel Almiron to Newcastle is certainly one of the main reasons Atlanta have struggled so far, but they did look comfortable beating Herediano 4-0 in the Champions League last 16 just over a week ago.

United won 11 of their 17 home games last season kept just three clean sheets, and it seems unlikely they will keep newcomers FC Cincinnati – who netted after just 12 minutes of their MLS debut - at bay.

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.