Austin FC Vs Houston Dynamo
Austin FC Vs Houston Dynamo Wednesday, 13 July 2022 – 02:00 (BST)
US Major League Soccer
Pick: Austin FC to WIN
Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Betfair
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 10 July 2022)
Preview: Successive Texas derbies for Houston Dynamo who, after rescuing a draw late on against FC Dallas in the last round, now go to arguably the form team in MLS. A first win at Q2 Stadium since April would suffice as Austin look to go top of the league.
US Major League Soccer Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
Austin – MLS summit set to be turned Green?
Could the 2022 MLS Supporters Shield be Texas bound? Specifically, to Austin? A league-best seventh road win of the season, and fourth in succession, last time out against Atlanta United has only solidified those claims as Josh Wolff and his rampant side continue to hunt down Los Angeles FC. And, with the latter next in action on Monday and only two points better off, opportunity beckons ahead of this Texan derby.
The omens suggest the summit does indeed beckon. Austin FC would prevail in three of four all-time MLS meetings with Houston Dynamo, including both times as hosts (via 3-2 and 2-1 scorelines, both in MLS 2021). Pouring scorn over those prospects, however, are recent results on home soil. Los Verdes have taken only two of the last nine points at Q2 Stadium, previously put up four wins and a draw there.
Key Stat: Austin FC have recorded more clean sheets in their past five MLS matches (3) than they had across the first 14 games to start to 2022 MLS season.
Houston Dynamo – Herrera arrival elevating the Orange Crush?
What a way to introduce the club’s exciting latest recruit, former Atletico Madrid midfield enforcer and captain for the Mexico senior team, Hector Herrera, than with back-to-back Texas derbies? The 32-year-old arrives amid much fanfare and quickly set about making his presence felt, as a second half substitute no less, involved in the first equalising goal of the night in Sunday’s pulsating 2-2 draw with FC Dallas.
That second equalising goal will be talked about for years to come. Teenage Hadebe netting the latest non-penalty strike in MLS history, clocking in at 101 minutes after a lengthy period for stoppages. It almost got lost, then, that the game snapped Houston Dynamo’s 11-game drawless sequence (W3 L8 beforehand) whilst extending their winless run when conceding at least once to nine.
Key Stat: A 2-1 scoreline away to the Portland Timbers, on June 30, in their latest away fixture marked a third consecutive road defeat for the Houston Dynamo. They’re W2 L6 on their travels in MLS this term – that among the poorest records in the league.
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Austin FC Vs Houston Dynamo Betting Advice
Even at shorter than even money, there would appear some value in backing Austin FC to maintain their stranglehold over the Houston Dynamo. The former winning three of four prior MLS meetings, including the two held at their Q2 Stadium. This all Western Conference affair also looks a mismatch on paper. Both have played 19 games so far but Austin, in second, are 15 points better off than 11th-placed Houston Dynamo.
Austin FC Vs Houston Dynamo – Key Facts:
- A fifth ever staging of this fixture sees Houston Dynamo seeking to double their tally of victories having won once in four attempts so far (L3), losing both games in Austin by a solitary goal (3-2 and 2-1 scorelines).
- Another goal laden encounter seems inevitable then. Austin have scored more goals than any other team in MLS except LAFC (both 38 goals). Meanwhile Houston Dynamo would score for the fifth game running in last Sunday’s other Texas derby (vs FC Dallas).
- Despite being named among the substitutes for the weekend’s 3-0 win over Atlanta Utd, Austin FC forward Sebastien Driussi netted a team-leading 11th MLS goal of the season to move one behind New York City’s Taty Castellanos in the race for the Golden Boot.
Ominously, Houston’s record when giving up at least one goal is damning, beaten in each of the last nine MLS matches when failing to preserve their clean sheet. The reason I bring this up is because no team has more goals (38 – level with LAFC) in league play this year than Josh Wolff’s exciting Austin side. Houston have found some attacking verve of their own, though, netting in five straight games coming into this clash.
Best Betting Odds – Austin FC Vs Houston Dynamo
Austin FC – 8/11
Draw – 3/1
Houston Dynamo – 16/5
(All odds courtesy of Betfair)
