MLS Rivalry Week sees two familiar foes square off on Wednesday night, as St Louis City plays host to Sporting Kansas City at Energizer Park.
Both sides are languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference on 10 points apiece and need to start picking up some wins if they hope to remain in playoff contention.
Sporting KC has won four and drawn twice in their nine all-time meetings, but the home team has claimed each of the last two, and St Louis will hope that trend continues.
My St Louis City vs. Sporting Kansas City predictions break down why fans may be in for a drab performance from both sides. Find out more in our free betting picks for Wednesday, May 14.
St. Louis City SC vs Sporting Kansas City picks and predictions
My St. Louis City SC vs Sporting Kansas City best bet: Under 2.5 goals (+126 at FanDuel)
St Louis City are one of only four teams in MLS who haven’t scored at least 10 goals on the season. Despite an xG of 14.6 in league play, they’ve rippled the back of the net just nine times.
They’ve been solid defensively, conceding just 14 goals, outperforming an 18.7 xGA with strong goalkeeping. However, it’s hard to win matches when you don’t score goals, which is why St. Louis City have taken just two points from their last eight matches.
Meanwhile, Kansas City have drastically outperformed their 11.7 xG with 17 goals scored, but they have conceded three more goals than expected. They’ve been involved in quite a few low-scoring affairs this season, especially when not facing sides who attack with high intensity.
Sporting aren’t scoring goals consistently, either. Dejan Joveljic has five goals in 12 matches this season but has gone four straight without a tally. Ironically, two of his goals came in a 2-0 win on April 5 against St. Louis City — both scored from chances that combined for just 0.40 xG.
That performance came at home, though, and things won’t be that easy at Energizer Park. St Louis City have allowed just five goals in six home outings, and Sporting’s managed only eight in their six away trips this year.
That said, the home side have scored only three times in front of their fans, and their two primary strikers each have just one goal on the year. They’re also averaging only 3.50 shots on goal per 90 minutes, putting less than a third of their attempts on target.
Without a consistent goal threat to turn to, I’m expecting another very low-scoring affair, and I’ll happily take the Under at plus-odds.
St. Louis City SC vs Sporting Kansas City same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 2.5 goals
Sporting Kansas City to win or draw
Under 8.5 corners
If a side were to win, I’d back Sporting KC to do so. They’re playing much better defensively since the appointment of Kerry Zavagnin and are finding ways to stay competitive, as they showed against Portland.
Until St Louis City finds a way to put the ball into the back of the net, it’s hard to back them as the better team.
Last month's meeting saw the two clubs combine for seven corners, which makes sense given how they play. Neither team shoots that often, and both rank in the bottom 10 in corners earned.
While each side tends to concede a high number against better sides, it’s unlikely we’d see a high total given their similar styles.
St. Louis City SC vs Sporting Kansas City odds
St. Louis City SC vs Sporting Kansas City live odds
St. Louis City SC vs Sporting Kansas City opening odds
- Moneyline: St. Louis +130 | Kansas City +170
- Draw: +250
- Over/Under: Over 2.5 (-130) | Under 2.5 (-110)
St. Louis City SC vs Sporting Kansas City game info
| Location | Energizer Park, St. Louis, MO |
| Date | Wednesday, 5-14-2025 |
| Time | 8:45 p.m. ET |
| TV | Apple TV+ |
| Weather | 80F, winds ranging from 9-16 mph, 0% chance of rain. |
St. Louis City SC vs Sporting Kansas City key injuries
St. Louis City SC: Alfredo Morales M (Out), Christopher Durkin M (Out), Henry Kessler D (Out), Tomas Totland D (Out).
Sporting Kansas City: Jake Davis M (Out), Joaquin Fernandez D (Out), Logan Ndenbe D (Out).
Not intended for use in MA.
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