- Head-to-head: Real Salt Lake have won the last 2 head-to-head meetings in MLS 2026, and SKC haven't beaten them in the last 2 home games
- Standings: Sporting Kansas City are 30th in MLS 2026 with 22 points from 28 games while Real Salt Lake are 21st with 32 points from 28 matches
- Away form: Real Salt Lake have won 1, drawn 3 and lost 10 of their 14 MLS 2026 away games
RSL to edge it at Sporting Park
Two of the MLS 2026's worst teams face off at Sporting Park on Sunday when Sporting Kansas City, 30th with 22 points from 28 contests, host Real Salt Lake in 21st with 32 from 28.
Pablo Mastroeni's visitors are in much worse form, however, having won only one of their last five games – four defeats – while SKC have two wins, one draw and two losses in their last five.
Raphael Wicky's men have been a 4-2-3-1 in the early part of 2026, but can set up a back three in possession while trying to maintain a mid-to-low block with their pressing.
They've been better when the build-up has been more structured and the pressing selective.
Real Salt Lake play a possession-first system, albeit a very aggressive one, that can morph into a 3-2-4-1 with the wingbacks very high and the press designed to win the ball back quickly.
- Andre Luiz has been SKC's main man in MLS 2026 with four goals in his last five matches, and he has driven 7 of their 12 goals across the last 5 games.
- Sergi Solans leads RSL's scoring with 11 MLS goals in 25 games, but the Spaniard has scored two of their last four.
Real Salt Lake are the pick
Tactical clash:
This game will feature two styles that aren't particularly similar with SKC preferring to pick their moments and use their counter-attacking prowess while RSL want to overwhelm teams in the centre of the field and get the ball back as soon as they lose it.
Betting and verdict:
However, Real Salt Lake have won the past two games between these clubs, so are our pick to take the points here.
Real Salt Lake are 2.25 with Sporting Kansas City 2.75 and the draw 3.75, which is a pretty short price for the visitors given the clubs' standings in the standings.
RSL's away record, however, suggests this won't be a walkover as they've won only once on the road in 2026.
SKC's home record in MLS 2026 is three wins, four draws and seven defeats in 14 at Children's Mercy Park, so there is still a good case for a home edge here.
But we'll take the visitors to edge it in a close game. Both Teams to Score: Yes at 1.37 looks a great option in the alternative markets as both sides have enough attacking angles to get on the board.
