MLS: LAFC vs. Houston Dynamo Preview, Odds, Betting Predictions, Picks

The LAFC has a postponed game against Houston Dynamo this Wednesday night. These two units met five days ago in Texas and are now again facing one another. Due to its CONCACAF Champions League obligations, the MLS champs haven’t played several games, and they have to catch up with them now. LAFC is currently third in the West with three points fewer than St. Louis but with two games in hand. On the other side, the Dynamo is doing well, and is in the playoff zone, yet with one point more than the teams who are in the play-in tournament. That’s why this game is important for both sides. 

LAFC (-250) is in terrible shape, not winning the past five games and losing four of them. One was the US Open Cup El Trafico vs. Galaxy; two losses were in the CONCACAF Champions League finals against Club Leon, there was a goalless tie against Atlanta, and the most recent defeat to Dynamo. 

Believe it or not, FC was hammered in Houston 4-0, and that was the third game in a row in which this team couldn’t score a goal. That’s something unimaginable, knowing the quality of the unit and its offensive potential. 

Their entire previous year and the championship run were based on very efficient offense and a flamboyant attacking approach. Over the last month, all that disappeared. 

Houston Dynamo (+600) has 21 points, one more than the Timber and Sporting Kansas City, who are behind. This team doesn’t play some extraordinary football, and their goal difference is 19-21 in 16 matches. 

Though, they are coming into this battle after back-to-back victories, with them beating the rivals, scoring four goals in each of those events. After trashing Chicago Fire at the Soldier Field, 1-4, Dynamo rolled over LAFC, 4-0. 

Away from home, this team isn’t playing good football. They are without a win in the MLS this year, having only two points won in eight road trips, which is terrible. They have the worst defense away from home, with 19 allowed goals in eight contests. 

LAFC has several players out, and all are predicted to return in the last week of June. Tillman, Palencia, Aaron Long, Kellyn Acosta, and Maxime Crepeau are unavailable. 

Franco Escobar should be suspended for this one because of his red card. Chase Gasper is questionable, while Hadebe, Schmitt, and Achara are all out injured. 

Head to Head Games

The last weekend saw the Dynamo trashing the rivals from LA, beating them 4-0. LAFC was a bit demoralized after the failure in the CONCACAF Champions League finals and didn’t recover. Houston used that to score in the 11th minute through Quinones. Bassi netted from the penalty in the 50th minute, Baird 19 minutes later, and Escobar sealed the win in the final minute of the regulations. 

Predictions

LAFC suffered several hard kicks in the teeth over the recent few days, and they need to win this one in order to pull out from the crisis. Yes, the injuries are creating additional problems, but even so, they have the worst road team in the league across the field and simply have to win here.