So much of the fate of the Houston Dynamo doesn't rest in their hands. They know they need to amass at least seven points, if not all nine from their last three matches of the season to have any chance to get into the playoffs in the Western Conference. Their first of those three duels comes on the road this Sunday against an FC Dallas team which will likely wrap up a playoff spot with a win.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Though there are no odds posted for this match yet, FC Dallas is favored in virtually every match it plays at home. FCD still has the best chance to win the Western Conference by virtue of its five matches left on the docket, two more than the LA Galaxy, who are three points clear at the top of the table.
Dallas sits just four points clear of safety though, and Houston, which is on 41 points through 31 matches, finds itself three points and a game in hand back of Portland for that coveted last playoff spot.
KEY INJURIES
The fact that FIFA has international matches going on over the course of these first few days of October is incredibly disturbing for these MLS sides in the midst of the playoff fight. Fortunately, the only man being called up for international duty at this point is Erick Torres for the Dynamo.
Jermaine Taylor and Kofi Sarkodie are both out with leg injuries for the Dynamo, while Dallas will likely be without Bakary Soumare, who is still getting over a concussion and has not passed through protocol yet.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We were trying to be aggressive, but we looked pretty fragile in the back. And against these types of players, they punish you." – FC Dallas manager Oscar Pareja following a 3-2 loss against LA to fall to third place in the Western Conference
RECENT FORM
Back when there were five matches left in the season, Owen Coyle challenged his Dynamo to take the maximum 15 points to have any chance to get into the postseason. So far, so good. Houston has taken six points from two duels against Sporting Kansas City and Colorado, though the tests for the rest of the season will be significantly tougher than that.
FC Dallas has suddenly allowed six goals in its last two matches, three each to LA and Sporting Kansas City on the road, both games of which were lost. The good news for FCD? It is 6-0-1 in its last seven matches played here at Toyota Stadium.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Dallas has won the two duels between these teams this year, winning 2-0 here at home and 4-1 across the state in Houston.
You can bet that this is going to be a heated derby between two teams which really don't like each other, and the proceedings could end up being decided by one moment of brilliance.
The end result though, is going to be one which isn't suitable for either side. Will Bruin has been in fine attacking form, and with as poorly as the Dallas defense has been playing, we definitely fancy him to find the back of the net. However, with all of the attacking options FCD is bringing to the table and the form it has been in at home, we can't imagine it not scoring at least once.
Once though, isn't going to be enough to get three points.
FC Dallas 1, Houston 1
The MLS lines for this contest will be released by BookMaker Sportsbook before anyone else. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, spreads and totals. Live betting is open during every step of this match!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The fixture between FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. ET at Toyota Stadium. The match will be televised live on ESPN2.
