Los Angeles FC didn’t play a MLS game between May 20 and June 7. However, they didn’t win any games either. The defending MLS champions were knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup and lost both legs of the CONCACAF Champions League Final between games on the MLS schedule.
They returned to league action with a whimper, a 0-0 home draw, and now resume their title defense on the road in Houston.
The Dynamo have made Shell Energy Stadium a tough place for opponents, winning five of their seven games this season. Before making a Houston Dynamo vs Los Angeles FC prediction, let’s take a look at all the factors behind both teams this season.
Houston Dynamo FC vs. Los Angeles FC Information
Houston Dynamo vs Los Angeles FC
Location of the game: Shell Energy Stadium. Houston, TX.
Date & Time: Saturday, June 10. 8:30 p.m. ET
How to watch: Apple TV
Recent Scores
Houston won their U.S. Open Cup game in Chicago 4-1 on Tuesday. They lost their previous game on the MLS schedule, 3-0, in St. Louis on Saturday. Houston lost 6-2 in Vancouver to finish May, and their last home game was a 2-1 win over Austin FC on May 27.
LAFC outshot Atlanta United 22-4 but didn’t score in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw. They lost their two games before that, both to Mexico’s Club Leon in the CONCACAF Champions League, 2-1 and 1-0. Their last MLS game before Wednesday was on May 20, when they beat San Jose 2-1, going with most MLS picks.
Houston Dynamo FC vs. Los Angeles FC Analysis
LAFC are just 2-1-3 on the road this season against MLS teams. They are in third place in the West MLS standings but have the most points per game since they are playing catchup on the MLS schedule. The Black and Gold are +13 goal differential, with Denis Bouanga posting 10 goals in 11 starts.
The defending champions juggled the lineup against Atlanta with Carlos Vela coming off the bench, and Giorgio Chiellini didn’t play at all. Expect more rotation this weekend with a third game in six days. Aaron Long (head) and Kellyn Acosta (lower body) are likely out with injuries,.
Goalkeeper John McCarty posted another clean sheet against Atlanta. He has allowed just 10 goals in 13 league games this season with 36 saves and was also named Champions League Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
Houston Dynamo Crush Chicago Fire in Dominant Road Victory
Houston went on the road and hammered Chicago Fire in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals this week. Aliyu Ibrahim scored twice and has three goals in his last two cup games. The Dynamo are 5-1-1 at home this season for 16 of their 18 points.
On the campaign, Amine Bassi leads the Dynamo with six goals, while Hector Herrera has three to go with a team-best four assists. Steve Clark has started all 15 games in league play, allowing 21 goals and making 43 saves with five clean sheets.
In a unique scheduling twist because of rescheduled games, these teams will play twice in five days. Last year they split with both teams winning at home, results that impact the Houston Dynamo vs Los Angeles prediction this time around. The 2-1 win in August was the first ever for Houston in 10 games against LAFC.
Odds Breakdown
Houston Dynamo FC
Houston Dynamo are rare home underdogs on the MLS odds with a +180 moneyline. They are +115 draw, no bet.
Los Angeles FC
LAFC are a favorite, despite being on the road, at +130 on the moneyline. LAFC is -140 draw, no bet, and a draw in this game is +235.
Houston Dynamo FC vs. Los Angeles FC Betting Pick and Prediction
Pick 1: LAFC +130. The top Houston Dynamo vs Los Angeles prediction is to take the defending champions to win. They’ve had a busy week but have the talent to win this game on the road.
Pick 2: Over 2.5 (-130). Both teams can get on the scoreboard, and the firepower in this contest should hit the over with a 2-1 or 3-1 LAFC win.
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