Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Houston Dynamo FC Prediction, Preview, And Odd 7/20/21

Houston can move into a playoff position in the Western Conference when it goes on the road to Vancouver on Tuesday night. The Dynamo have not picked up a win since May 22—a match that was also against Vancouver. The Whitecaps are coming off an upset win over the Galaxy, but they are still second from the bottom in the Western Conference table.

Houston

Houston comes into this match with plenty of rest after having the last two weeks off. The Dynamo dropped a 2-0 contest against Seattle in that match. They had previously played to three consecutive draws. Their last win came in a 2-1 decision at home against Vancouver on May 22. Houston is currently sitting in ninth place in the Western Conference standings, trailing Portland and Real Salt Lake by just one point. If the Dynamo can grab three points on Tuesday, they will jump into the current playoff picture.

Houston has only notched one clean sheet all season, but the bevy of draws have kept them within touch in the Western Conference table. The Dynamo have only scored twice in their last 270 minutes on the pitch, so that will certainly be a focus on Tuesday. Maximiliano Urruti leads the team with six goals, but he has only found the back of the net once in his last four matches. Veteran attacker Darwin Quintero has made seven appearances as a substitute and could be a starting option in this match.

Vancouver

Vancouver comes into this match with some newfound momentum after picking up a 2-1 win at home against Los Angeles on Saturday. The Whitecaps entered the match as 2/1 underdogs and went down 1-0 five minutes into the match. However, they recovered with a pair of second-half goals. Cristian Dajome netted the winner 77 minutes into the contest. Vancouver had 11 shots, including four on goal. It held Los Angeles to nine shots and just two on target. The Whitecaps had not won a match since early May, so it was a very unexpected result. They were coming off a 4-0 loss in their previous fixture.

Despite the positive result on Saturday, Vancouver is still second from the bottom in the Western Conference table. It has just 12 points on the season, pitting it four points out of a playoff position. The Whitecaps can level Houston at 15 points with a win on Tuesday. They will be hoping for more offense from Deiber Caicedo and Dajome in this match. The offense has been an issue throughout the season for the club. Vancouver has several options if it wants to shake up the starting lineup, but it could end up going with the same lineup as three days prior.

Spread (Houston PK)

There are several factors steering me away from the home team in a match that oddsmakers have made a pick’em. Vancouver is coming off its best win of the season, but that contest just took place three days prior to this one. There is a serious chance for a letdown performance on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Houston comes into Vancouver with plenty of rest after having nearly two weeks off. The Dynamo are in a better position in the conference table and can make a move into a potential playoff spot with a win.

Total (Over 2.5)

No team has been leaking goals like Houston has this season. It has only recorded one clean sheet all season and that is unlikely to change in a road match against an attack with some newfound confidence. The Dynamo have been able to stay relevant in the playoff race due to an attack that seems to come up with timely goals. Vancouver is not a stalwart on the defensive end of the pitch either. This is a low total for two bad defenses, so I will play the over.

Teaser

Houston and Vancouver will both be trying to stay relevant in the Western Conference playoff race when they face off on Tuesday night.