Seattle Sounders Vs Houston Dynamo
Seattle Sounders Vs Houston Dynamo Thursday 8 July, 2021 – 02:00
US Major League Soccer
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Betway
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 6 July 2021)
Preview: With both these sides having to settle for only a share of the points in their most recent MLS outings, will either be able to go one better when Seattle Sounders host Houston Dynamo at Lumen Field for a fixture which has certainly favoured the hosts down the years.
Table of Contents
Seattle Sounders – No longer sound defensively?
A maiden MLS strike from full-back Alex Roldan wasn’t enough for Seattle Sounders to return to winning ways last time out, held 1-1 on the road by Colorado Rapids. That made it successive draws for Brian Schmetzer’s Sounders, who were hanging on towards the end but ultimately preserved the sole remaining unbeaten record in the MLS, which now stands at twelve games (W7 D5).
Having emerged from their latest encounter relatively unscathed then, The Sounders can return to Lumen Field in upbeat mood, confident of avoiding a third straight MLS outing without a win – something they are yet to manage all season. However, if recent home outings are anything to go by, there could be further frustration in the pipeline as only one of the past four said fixtures yielded maximum points.
Schmetzer’s side begun by winning their first three home encounters to nil but have gone on to win only one of four subsequent outings. Even that solitary win, a 2-1 scoreline against Real Salt Lake, needed late intervention from top scorer Raul Ruidiaz. Moreover, in a sign the league’s strongest defence is creaking, it is six conceded and one clean sheet recorded across the last six MLS matches (W2 D4).
Houston Dynamo – More away day woes in store?
After spurning a golden opportunity last time, held 1-1 at home by FC Cincinnati, at registering a first MLS win since edging out Vancouver to win 2-1 on 23 May, the Dynamo suddenly find themselves verging on a sixth winless game in a row unless they can pull off an upset in Seattle. Bearing in mind their record at Lumen Field reads no win in thirteen visits in all competitions (D4 L9), those prospects appear bleak.
The Houston Dynamo reside in sixth place in the Western Conference, some eleven points worse off than Seattle Sounders boasting the most points (11 more than the Dynamo) and sole unbeaten record in this season’s MLS. This after coach Tab Ramos oversaw a fourth consecutive draw in last week’s wide-open affair with Cincinnati, who could consider themselves fortunate to escape with a share of the spoils.
Aside from the fact their upcoming opponents are in formidable form this season, Houston Dynamo must also overcome an inferiority complex away from home having not managed to win any of six away matches (D3 L3) so far this term. This despite scoring in all six, with a bet on Both Teams to Score landing 100% of the time in these matches – and in 92% of all MLS matches across the season so far.
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Seattle Sounders Vs Houston Dynamo Betting Advice
The early momentum Seattle Sounders garnered from winning five of their first six MLS matches appears to have ebbed away. Brian Schmetzer’s men have won only two of six thereafter, drawing all but one of the previous four here at Lumen Field. This, therefore, offers hope of a rare positive result in this fixture for Houston Dynamo, who have never won here before having lost the last four on the bounce (three of them ‘to nil’).
Seattle Sounders Vs Houston Dynamo – Key Facts:
- Houston Dynamo are seeking a first ever MLS win away to Seattle Sounders, who have won nine of 12 such meetings in all including each of the last four.
- Both Teams to Score returned a winning bet in five of The Sounders last six MLS matches, including the last four, and in 11 of 12 involving Houston Dynamo, including all six away from home.
- Only one MLS player has more goals for the season than Seattle Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz. The Peruvian has netted seven of his nine goals in home fixtures.
At the very least, the Dynamo should be good for a goal. Head coach Tab Ramos has yet to see his team not score on the road this season, nor has he witnessed a win of any kind, resulting in all six away outings producing Both Teams to Score. Surprisingly, that bet remains reasonably priced. Especially considering The Sounders have only registered one defensive shutout in their last six MLS games.
Best Betting Odds – Seattle Sounders Vs Houston Dynamo
Seattle Sounders – 6/10 (Betfair)
Draw – 3/1 (BetFred)
Houston Dynamo – 9/2 (PaddyPower)
