MLS Matchday 18 Preview and Free Picks

This week, the action and excitement of the 2025 MLS season continues in Matchday 18, with all the teams fighting tooth and nail for 3 points and a better position in the standings.

In the East, Philadelphia manages to take the lead at the top of the standings with 34 points. However, they have Cincinnati, Inter Miami, Nashville, and Columbus Crew on their heels.

Similarly, in the West, the Whitecaps remain at the top with 35 points but with a little more tranquility. Their closest pursuers are San Diego FC and Minnesota, five points behind.

We are sure that every game has its great importance, but the emotions are sure from start to finish.

Below, we bring you the preview of the best matches of this MLS matchday 18, with their respective betting odds and our free predictions.

At Gambyl Exchange, you can explore all the predictions for the MLS, the final bets for this Matchday, and the odds for each match.

MLS Weekly Picks Betting Odds

MLS Matchday 18:  NYC FC vs. Atlanta United

NYC FC has not had a positive season so far. They are in 10th place in the standings, with a record of seven wins, four draws, and six losses, having scored 20 goals and conceded 20. The team needs their defense to improve as they look to win consecutive games and get into the battle.

The team from the Big Apple arrives this Matchday without a win in the last two games, the most recent being a 2-2 draw against Nashville SC.

On the other hand, Atlanta United has been struggling to find consistency since the beginning of the season. Right now, they are ranked #13 in the standings, with a record of four wins, five draws, and eight losses, having scored 21 goals and conceded 30. As we can see, the offense has been doing its work, but the big problem has been their defensive front.

If Atlanta United wants to get out of the bottom of the table, they will have to start winning consecutive games and avoid conceding so many goals from now on. The team is coming off a loss in their most recent match against New York RB, with a score of 0-2.

For this match, our winner’s chip is on NYF FC.

NYC FC vs. Atlanta United Betting Pick: NYC FC

MLS Matchday 18: New England vs. Cincinnati

New England has gone from strength to strength this season. At times, they were fighting to be among the first in the standings. However, their performance started to drop noticeably week after week, to the point where they are currently ranked #11 in the table with a record of six wins, five draws, and four losses, having scored 19 goals and conceded 14.

As we can see, this team has been playing well on both sides of the field. However, they need their offense to be more decisive and effective, as this will be the only way they can win games and climb up the standings. New England is coming off an excellent 3-0 away win over Montreal.

On the other hand, Cincinnati remains one of the best teams in MLS at the moment. The team is in second place in the East with a record of nine wins, three draws, and five losses, having scored 25 goals and 24 conceded. While they are 4 points behind the top, the team has one more game in hand than Philadelphia, so they have no margin for error if they want to fight for the first place in the rest of the regular season.

In addition, Cincinnati arrives from losing their most recent match at home to DC United, with a score of 1-2.

We expect a balanced match, so our betting selection is a draw on the scoreboard.

New England vs. Cincinnati Betting Pick: Draw

MLS Matchday 18: Columbus Crew vs. Whitecaps

Columbus Crew have been struggling to find and maintain their level of play at this point in the season. They currently sit in 5th place in the East with a record of seven wins, seven draws, and three losses, having scored 30 goals and 21 conceded. The team is only 1 point behind Nashville and Inter Miami, but with one more game in hand, which makes every win that much more important to them.

In their most recent match, the Crew was annihilated, precisely by Inter Miami, with a score of 1-5.

On the other hand, the Whitecaps are, for many, the best team in MLS this season. In addition to leading the West with a record of 10 wins, five draws, and one loss, they were able to reach the CONCACAF Champions League Grand Final. However, in the international competition, they were crushed by Mexican side Cruz Azul 0-5.

Now, in the MLS, the Whitecaps are increasingly proving their determination to be at the top, as proven by their excellent victory over the Seattle Sounders, with a score of 3-0.

That said, we expect Columbus Crew to respect their home and take the three points in this match.

Columbus Crew vs. Whitecaps Betting Pick: Columbus Crew

MLS Matchday 18: Minnesota vs. San Diego FC

Minnesota has been on a good campaign so far. They are third in the West standings with a record of eight wins, six draws, and three losses, having scored 26 goals and 16 conceded. They have performed well in all aspects of the game. However, they need more consistency and determination when it comes to defining or coming from behind.

In their most recent encounter, Minnesota achieved an excellent victory over the Seattle Sounders with a score of 3-2.

On the other hand, San Diego FC continues to surprise everyone at the highest level of North American soccer. The team remains in second place in the table, tied with Minnesota by 30 points, having nine wins, three draws, and five defeats, with 29 goals scored and 18 conceded. For San Diego, this victory is important, considering the Whitecaps may not have a clear chance to win on matchday 18.

In addition, the team is coming from an excellent victory against Austin FC, with a score of 2-0.

For this match, our prediction is a Minnesota win.

Minnesota vs. San Diego FC Betting Pick: Minnesota