Wednesday night will see stars shining all over the pitch as the MLS All-Stars take on the Liga MX All-Stars in an exhibition at Q2 Stadium in Austin.
Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano has publicly stated he wants Lionel Messi not to participate. That storyline looms large over an event that will still feature plenty of exciting players from the top-tier leagues in the United States and Mexico.
I explain why things could be jumping from the start in our MLS All Stars vs Liga MX All Stars predictions and free betting picks for Wednesday, July 23.
MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars picks and predictions
My MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars best bet: Both teams to score in first half (+155 at Betano)
Trying to bet on an All-Star game isn’t a science. Unlike the NBA or MLB, you don’t even have a lot of the baseline data available in those exhibitions when it comes to the MLS All-Star Game.
For starters, we don’t know who will take the pitch at the opening whistle. We also don’t know how long specific players will participate. Even if Messi were to take the pitch, it could be for just a 10-minute cameo.
That’s why the best way to approach it is to look for value based on how the books expect it to play out. The odds indicate both teams are expected to score, and that we’ll see at least four goals. There’s also quite a bit of juice on each side scoring at least twice.
Given those expectations, the price of +155 for both teams to score before half stands out. Each team is priced at -167 to score a goal in the opening 45 minutes, which makes the odds fair if you were to parlay them together.
But it’s not just the betting odds and anticipation of a high-scoring affair that leads me towards this wager. There’s going to be plenty of firepower on the pitch in attack, and All-Star games typically lend themselves to offense as defenders are less likely to risk injury for a game that doesn’t impact their season.
Denis Bouanga is in fine form and will likely lead an MLS attack from the start. On the other side, 16-year-old wunderkind Gilberto Mora will dazzle when he’s on the pitch and could well be in attack from the outset.
The MLS All-Stars lost to Liga MX All-Stars by a 4-1 score last year. However, both teams scored goals within the first 20 minutes. With star attacking players more likely to give their all for the shorter time they’re on the pitch, I’ll run with this play at a strong price.
MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars same-game parlay (SGP)
Both teams to score in the first half
Over 3.5 goals
Liga MX moneyline
Liga MX has some outstanding talent, and if you take Messi out of the equation, I’d argue they have the better overall roster. James Rodriguez and Alexis Vega are two players who will give the MLS defense fits.
Messi wasn’t involved last season, and Liga MX took home a 4-1 victory in Columbus. With the match taking place in Austin, I expect a lot of fans from south of the border and a win for the visiting All-Star squad.
There were five goals scored in last year’s exhibition, and that’s before you factor in the two attempts from MLS players that hit the woodwork in the second half.
The two teams combined for 36 shots, with 13 of them on frame, as the match turned into a basketball game on the grass. We should see plenty of goals scored here as well.
MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars odds
MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars live odds
| MLS All-Stars | Liga MX All-Stars | |
|---|---|---|
| +130 | Moneyline | +130 |
| +310 | Draw | +310 |
| Over 2.5 (-400) | Total | Under 2.5 (+275) |
Odds courtesy of bet365.
How to watch MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars
| Location | Q2 Stadium, Austin, TX |
| Date | Wednesday, 7-23-2025 |
| Time | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Apple TV |
| Weather | 95F, POP 0%, winds 8-17 mph |
MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars key injuries
MLS All-Stars: Lionel Messi (Questionable).
Liga MX All-Stars: No injuries to report.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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