Charlotte vs Real Salt Lake Prediction: We can expect many goals in this duel

Charlotte vs Real Salt Lake: Prediction and odds on the Match on 17 August 2025

For the first time in history, Charlotte FC hosts Real Salt Lake at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The matchup will pit a playoff contender from the Eastern Conference against a playoff contender from the Western Conference, with Charlotte looking to solidify their position in the top half of the standings. In contrast, Real Salt Lake looks to salvage points on the road to climb out of the bottom half of the standings and start thinking about the playoffs.

Charlotte: form and statistics

Charlotte FC have been one of the surprise packages in the Eastern Conference this season, riding a streak that has propelled them into the playoffs. Charlotte enters the game with a record of 13 wins, 11 losses, and 2 draws (41 points), comfortably sitting in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, just a few points behind the top four in the fight for the playoffs. However, Charlotte's home dominance this season - winning 9 of 12 home games - could be the main reason why they are a big favorite in this match, especially given Real Salt Lake’s poor away form (3 wins in 13). Charlotte have won their last six games in MLS, including a convincing 1-0 victory on the road last weekend against the unpleasant Cincinnati. Their game is built on a solid defense that has allowed just 2 goals during the great series in the league matches, led by goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina. However, they had a bad experience in the Leagues Cup matches against Guadalajara and Monterey when they were defeated twice. 

Charlotte: Team News and Injury Report

Charlotte will once again put the focus on the quality of their defensive line, even though they will miss several players. Souleyman Doumbia is out due to an injury, and it will certainly have an effect on the whole team, especially on the defensive line. Their captain, Ashley Westwood, is also out of this match due to accumulated yellow cards.

🔖 Charlotte possible starting lineup (4-4-2) 

Goalkeeper – Kristijan Kahlina

Defenders – Nick Scardina, Adilson Malanda, Tim Ream, Nathan Byrne

Midfielders – Kerwin Vargas, Brandt Bronico, Djibril Diani, Liel Abada

Attacker –Idan Toklomati, Wilfried Zaha

⛔️ Out: S. Doumbia, A. Westwood, A. Goodwin, P. Biel

👤 Head coach: Dean Smith

Real Salt Lake: form and statistics

Real Salt Lake, on the other hand, have a record of 9-4-12 (31 points), are in 10th place in the Western Conference, and desperately needs results to avoid missing the playoffs altogether. Real Salt Lake have been playing inconsistently from the start of the season, but it's mostly because they are struggling with injuries. Forward Cristian Arango remains the biggest threat with 10 goals scored, and Brian Ojeda has stood out with goals in recent rounds. However, the absence of key creator Diego Luna (suspension) and injuries to several playmakers (McMath, Brown, Bell) weaken the structure of the team, especially in the defense that has conceded 44 goals this season – one of the loosest in the league. In the last round, they suffered defeat against New York Red Bull as visitors 2:1.

Real Salt Lake: Team News and Injury Report

Pablo Mastroeni has a lot of headaches, how to compose the starting lineup as he is faced with a lot of issues with injured and suspended players. In this match, he will most likely play defensively oriented and try to remain undefeated, and somehow manage to get confidence back into his players.

🔖 Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper – Rafael Cabral 

Defenders – Noel Caliskan, Justen Glad, Brayan Vera, Sam Junqua

Midfielders – Diogo Gonçalves, Braian Ojeda, Emeka Eneli, Alexandros Katranis

Attacker – Zavier Gozo, William Agada

⛔️ Out: M. Bell, J. Bonilla, J. Brown, D. Luna, Z. MacMath, M. Stajduhar

👤 Head coach: Pablo Mastroeni

Charlotte vs Real Salt Lake: head-to-head statistics

These teams played only once so far, it was in 2023 and Real Salt Lake won at home confidently with 3:1.

Charlotte vs Real Salt Lake: Betting Tips & Odds

• Charlotte won in their last six matches in the league. A win for the hosts is available at 1.9 on 1xBet;
• Four of the last Real Salt Lake five games against the two teams have seen at least three goals. This option is available at 1.65 odds on 1xBet;
• In three of the last Charlotte's five matches both teams didn't score. This option is available at 2.35 odds on 1xBet;

Charlotte vs Real Salt Lake FC match prediction, 17 August 2025

Charlotte are definitely in a better situation. They are playing in better form, they have the home-field advantage, and almost all players are ready for this duel. Real Salt Lake, on the other hand, are struggling a lot, especially in their away matches. They have a lot of injured players, and it will be an extremely difficult away match for them. In my opinion, Charlotte will win this match and will score more than two goals against one of the weakest defensive lines in the league.

Our match prediction: Team 1 over 1.5 goals for a coefficient of 1.78 in the 1xBet bookmaker.

Our betting tip on the match: W1 for a coefficient of 1.9 in the Betway bookmaker.

Our final betting tip on the match: W1 and over 2.5 for a coefficient of 2.70 in the Bet365 bookmaker.