Three MLS Futures Bets You Can Make Right Now

In case you missed it, Lionel Messi is headed to the MLS. In one of the biggest moves in world soccer in recent times, Inter Miami, led by owner David Beckham, swooped for the World Cup winner and seven-time recipient of the Ballon d'Or given to the world's best player, to get him to join the team currently rooted to the foot of the MLS Eastern Conference. Despite Miami's currently perils, that hasn't stopped the sportsbooks from getting a little carried away.

We look at three teams that you should be betting on for this year's MLS Cup that aren't Inter Miami.

MORE: Our latest MLS Futures Probabilities and Best Odds

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Inter Miami's odds have moved from +25000 to +2200 to claim this year's MLS Cup, due directly to the impending arrival of the former Barcelona and PSG star, who is expected to join the squad at sometime in July, reportedly bringing former Barca teammate Sergio Busquets along with him.

While the hysteria around a Messi-led Miami revival might be high among sports fans and sportsbooks, the Dimers.com MLS futures model cannot disagree more, giving Inter Miami just a 1.2% chance of the ultimate glory in 2023, equating to fair odds of +8233. 

MORE: How the MLS Has Changed Since the Lionel Messi Announcement

Lionel Messi has worked many miracles throughout his almost 20-year career, but the DimersBOT thinks that even this is a bridge too far for the Argentinian.

So with everyone distracted by the Messi razzle dazzle, is now the time to lock in another team for the MLS Cup? We say yes. These are the real contenders that you should be putting your money on now, identified by our MLS predictions model.

The Best Value Futures Bets for the 2023 MLS Cup

Nashville to Win the MLS Cup

• Dimers' probability to win the MLS Cup: 13.2%
• Implied odds based on their probability: +658
• Current best available odds: +750 with DraftKings

In order to get our of the Eastern Conference, Miami are going to have to go through some powerhouse teams; one of those is Nashville SC. The Music are currently second behind Cincinnati in the Eastern standings, putting together a great year, not having lost a game since mid-April. While Nashville are third on our most likely winners of the MLS Cup based upon probabilities with a 13.2% chance, they represent the best value of the top contenders with the sportsbooks yet to catch up, offering odds that are tasty enough to warrant a sprinkle.

Columbus to Win the MLS Cup

• Dimers' probability to win the MLS Cup: 4.6%
• Implied odds based on their probability: +2074
• Current best available odds: +3500 with DraftKings

In terms of long shots to win the MLS Cup, there are teams that are in a lot better positions to pull something off than Inter Miami are. Our model thinks Columbus could go deep into the MLS postseason, rating them as a 4.6% chance of hoisting the Cup, in contrast to the sportsbook odds of +3500 which equates to a measly 2.78% chance. The Crew are another team that will be competing in the East playoffs if Miami somehow do make it, and they have some honorable performances against the top dogs in Cincinnati and Nashville this season already that they can hang their hat on. They've also made their home stadium a fortress this year, losing just once.

Dallas to Win the MLS Cup

• Dimers' probability to win the MLS Cup: 4.4%
• Implied odds based on their probability: +2173
• Current best available odds: +3500 with DraftKings

Another long shot, this time with Dallas who could take advantage of a floundering Western Conference. currently perched in 5th position in the West, FC Dallas have the same amount of losses at St. Louis who sit atop of the conference. In all, the conference has been super competitive this year with just six points separating 1st and 8th as it stands. If Dallas can make a run, expect to see their odds dramatically decrease over the coming weeks. They might not win it all, but you might find yourself with some very nice cashout offers. 

Find out who we're betting on for every soccer game, every week via our MLS Bet Hub, where we deliver you MLS predictions and suggested bets, or check out the MLS Betting News section.

Remember to gamble responsibly and set limits on your wagers. It's important to enjoy the game while maintaining control. Only bet what you can afford to lose, and if you feel like gambling is becoming a problem, seek help. Practice responsible gambling and make informed decisions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.