FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo Prediction, Preview and Odds - 5/8/21
FC Dallas is 1-1-1 on four points with a +2 goal difference after its first three matches of the MLS campaign. The Toros opened the regular season with a 0-0 draw at home with Colorado, followed by a 3-1 loss on the road to the San Jose Earthquake and most recently had an impressive victory at home of 4-1 over the Portland Timbers. Dallas is currently 7th in the Western Conference but only three points shy of the first-place Seattle Sounders.
The Houston Dynamo have started its regular season the same as FC Dallas at 1-1-1 on 4 points with a 0 goal difference. The Dynamo are tied with Dallas on points but have a lower goal difference, hence are one back in the table. Houston opened its regular season with a 2-1 victory at home over the San Jose Earthquakes and followed that with a 2-1 loss on the road to the Portland Timbers. Houston's most recent fixture ended in a 1-1 draw at home against LAFC. The Dynamo are also just three points adrift of first place Seattle.
FC Dallas Must Improve Attack
Through the first three matches of the regular season, FC Dallas has scored 5 goals, but four of the five came in just one match against Portland. In their two previous matches prior to playing Portland, the Toros scored just one goal. FC Dallas has taken just 30 shots through three matches with only 15 on goal. The Toros passing accuracy has been 83%. Dallas is also committing too many fouls as the Toros have 46 fouls through three matches and have been issued 6 yellow cards.
Dallas has had a balanced scoring attack with 5 players - Ricardo Pepi, Jader Rafael Obrian, Bressan, Andres Ricaurte and Dante Sealy - each scoring one goal. Ryan Hollingshead, Franco Jara and Phelip each have one assist for FC Dallas. Across all competitions, FC Dallas has two wins, two losses and one draw dating back to last season.
Houston Scoring Attack Must Improve
The Houston Dynamo are also having a hard time putting the ball in the net. Houston has scored four goals through its first three matches of the MLS campaign. The Dynamo have taken 39 shots but have put only 13 on target and have a very low passing accuracy of 72.3%. Houston has committed 40 fouls through three matches and has been issued 5 yellow cards.
The Dynamo have a balanced scoring attack with Memo Rodriguez, Tyler Pasher and Maximiliano Urruti each scoring one goal. Fabrice Picault, Adam Lundqvist, Joe Corona and Pasher each have one assist. The Dynamo have one win, three losses and one draw over the last five matches played in the MLS dating back to last season.
Side: FC Dallas -118
In the last five matches head-to-head between the two MLS Western Conference clubs, FC Dallas has three victories, the Houston Dynamo have won one and one has ended in a nil-nil draw. FC Dallas defeated Houston 3-0 in October of last year in the most recent match between the two played in Dallas. The Toros are hard to beat on their home pitch as this season Dallas has a victory and draw in two matches at home. Houston has lost its only match on the road this season.
Total: Over 3
Two of the first three matches this season for Houston have finished over the 2.5 goals per match level and two of the three played by FC Dallas have also finished over that threshold. Two of FC Dallas’ matches have had four and five goals scored.