Houston Dynamo vs. LA Galaxy Prediction, Preview and Odds - 10/20/21
Los Angeles can take a huge step towards clinching a playoff spot when it travels to Houston on Wednesday night. The Galaxy are currently sixth in the Western Conference, but they are only two points ahead of eighth-place Vancouver. Houston is out of the playoff hunt at No. 11, but it is coming off a 2-1 win over Seattle.
Galaxy halts winless skid
Los Angeles snapped a nine-match winless skid its last time out, picking up a 2-1 win over Portland on Saturday. The Galaxy had lost five matches and played to four draws in their previous nine contests. They picked up a much-needed three points over the weekend. Los Angeles got on the board first when Javier Hernandez scored 62 minutes into the match. The Timbers responded with an equalizer 10 minutes later, but the Galaxy would have the last laugh when Sacha Kljestan scored on a penalty kick in the second minute of stoppage time. They controlled 61% of the possession and peppered Portland’s net with 20 total shots.
The Galaxy put nine shots on target in the 2-1 victory. They are in sixth place in the Western Conference, but they have the same number of points (42) as fifth-place Real Salt Lake. However, eighth-place Vancouver is just two points back of Los Angeles as it tries to sneak into the playoff picture. The Galaxy have the most MLS Cup wins in the division’s history, but they missed the playoffs last year. Former player Greg Vanney is in his second year as a professional manager—his team played to a 1-1 draw against Houston earlier this year.
Houston is playing for pride
Houston will be hoping to play spoiler in its final few matches of the regular season. The Dynamo are out of the playoff hunt, sitting 11 points back of the final postseason spot in the Western Conference. They are only ahead of FC Dallas and Austin in the table. Houston has been decent of late, though, losing just two of its last seven matches. It has picked up three wins during that stretch, beating Austin, Dallas and Seattle. The first two victories were not a surprise, as those teams have been awful this season. The Dynamo’s win over Seattle on Saturday was an impressive victory, though.
Seattle sits at the top of the Western Conference and was a heavy favorite to beat Houston in that contest. The Dynamo jumped on top in the early stages of the match, as Maximilano Urruti and Darwin Quintero both scored in the first 20 minutes. Seattle would score before halftime, but it was held off the board the rest of the way. Houston only had 42% of the possession and three total shots on goal. The Dynamo are unbeaten in their last four matches against Los Angeles. They went 15 matches without a win between May and September, which crushed any chance of making the playoffs. Houston has turned things around, but it is still on pace for its worst season in club history.
Pick: (Los Angeles +215)
Houston might be unbeaten in its last four matches against Los Angeles, but it does not deserve to be the favorite on Wednesday night. The Galaxy have a huge motivational edge, as they are
playing for a spot in the postseason. Houston is out of the hunt and does not have much to play for down the stretch. Los Angeles is coming off a solid win against Portland—it needs to take advantage of a weak opponent late in the year. I trust the Galaxy to end their skid against Houston in this match.
Total (Over 3)
This is the type of match that casual soccer fans would enjoy watching. Los Angeles and Houston have been among the worst defensive teams in the MLS this year, allowing 46 goals each. The Galaxy have not been able to record a clean sheet since Aug. 14. They are facing a Houston attack that has been playing much better than early in the season, which provides some value on the over. The Dynamo are struggling to stop opponents, though, as evidenced by their 4-2 loss to Sporting Kansas City earlier this month.