Samir Nasri

The MLS (Major League Soccer) division is now beginning to attract serious attention outside of the US, thanks to the time spent there by the likes of David Beckham and the impressive form displayed by an MLS star like Landon Donovan during his two loan spells with Everton.

This means more people are betting on the MLS, and when it comes to which side is the odds-on favourite to win the MLS it is perhaps no surprise that the LA Galaxy (the side both Beckham and Donovan starred for) are that side. They are currently holders of the MLS title, and the odds of 3/1 on them to win it again this season suggest that most feel they will add to their impressive trophy record.

However it is certainly not a one-horse race for this season’s MLS, as the New York Red Bulls are just behind the Galaxy, with odds of around 5 or 6/1 at most sites. The impressive form shown by former Premier League star Tim Cahill in his debut season with the Red Bulls has surely contributed to this – although it will be a brave soul who bets against the Galaxy. Sporting Kansas City (6/1), San Jose Earthquakes (7/1) and Real Salt Lake (8/1) are other sides that those wanting a slightly more risky MLS bet may choose to go for.

Or if you don’t fancy the chances of anyone outside of LA Galaxy, but don’t want to bet on them, you might opt to look for an alternative to sports betting. Many alternatives are available nowadays, as the gambling industry as a whole has grown massively and provided these. Online bookmakers and casinos alike have grown to an extent that the two fields are crossing, for example with the casinos developing sport-based online slots games.

One of these games is Soccer Safari. Soccer Safari is a non-progressive slot with five reels and thirty pay lines, and features some truly outstanding graphics to bring its quirky ‘animal World Cup’ idea to life. All the animals, from lions to warthogs are amusingly rendered – although the commentating elephant with a distinct resemblance to Gary Lineker is particularly good – and the game really gives value for money. You can play with coins as low as $0.01 equivalent, with the chance of a top cash jackpot of $8000, and wild and scatter symbols ensuring you have a fine chance of winning some sort of payout from playing the game.