FC Dallas vs Houston Dynamo MLS Preview: Back FC Dallas to scrape past Houston Dynamo

Home advantage and a higher league standing should be enough for Dallas to further sink Dynamo towards the bottom of the table

Houston Dynamo have suffered a season of struggles, collecting just 20 points from 16 games, and sitting just one spot above bottom place in the Western Conference.

On Saturday they make the long trip to the Toyota Stadium to face an improving FC Dallas outfit. With just three losses in their last ten fixtures, the home side are playing a solid brand of football, and look value to take all three points at 4/5.

Since joining the club, Dallas manager Oscar Pareja has put a big emphasis on his sides’ defensive efficiency, and his hard work has resulted in clean sheets in just under 40% of the club’s league fixtures. Pareja will be licking his lips come Saturday as goal barren Houston arrive on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Portland Timbers. Despite having a relatively strong attack on paper, Dynamo continue to disappoint in the scoring department, and an over reliance on Will Bruin and Giles Barnes, means they are the leagues least potent away team. A Dallas clean sheet looks fantastic value at 13/10.

Over 65% of Dallas’ wins this season have come at the Toyota stadium and this is due to them being far more comfortable attacking in front of their own fans. The 6th placed Western Conference side have scored 12 of their 19 goals at home, and should continue this form against a weak Dynamo outfit. This being said, Dallas are actually the leagues slowest starters, leading at half time in a staggeringly low 18.8% of their matches. Clearly content at wearing the opposition down, Dallas may well start slow in this fixture before they eventually come out on top. Back half time result – draw/full time result – FC Dallas at 18/5.

Recommended Bets:

FC Dallas clean sheet: 13/10

Half time result – Draw/Full time result – FC Dallas: 18/5