LAFC vs. Houston Dynamo Preview and Betting Odds

An important matchup in the MLS Western Conference is when LAFC, one of the title contenders, hosts Houston Dynamo, which is fighting to advance to the playoffs.

Los Angeles is coming off a tough loss to Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup final.

The Dynamo returned to the league with a defeat, losing 1-0 at home to Toronto FC.

LAFC vs. Houston Dynamo Betting Odds and Info

Why Bet on LAFC?

It is not the best moment for Los Angeles FC. Last Sunday, they lost in the final of the Leagues Cup against Columbus Crew by 3-1, after a goal by Cucho Hernandez at 90+2 minutes and another by Jacen Russell-Rowe at 90+4. Undoubtedly, it was a hard blow for the Californian team to lose that way in stoppage time.

But now it is time to turn the page and focus on the local league, where they are in second place in the Western Conference with 47 points, five behind their neighbors LA Galaxy. However, they have three games in hand, so if they can catch up with victories, they will retake the top spot.

In their last game before the Leagues Cup, they had beaten the Seattle Sounders 0-3, but they have two home games where they have not been able to come out victorious, tying with Salt Lake (1-1) and being soundly defeated, again, by Columbus Crew (1-5). Despite that, they are a great home side, with nine wins, three draws, and only one loss.

It will be Olivier Giroud’s debut in MLS. The French striker arrived last month after the European Championship but had only played in the Leagues Cup. Precisely in the final, he scored the only goal of his team with a header after a corner kick by Mateusz Bogusz. That was the Frenchman’s first goal for his new club.

But speaking of Bogusz, the Polish midfielder and Gabonese striker Denis Bouanga have been the big stars this season. In the league, the Europeanhas 13 goals and five assists, while the Africanhas 16 goals and eight assists. Bouanga is one goal behind MLS leading scorers, Christian Benteke of Belgium and Cristian Arango of Colombia. The Gabonese was already the league’s top scorer last year (24).

Why Bet on the Houston Dynamo?

Houston Dynamo will be fighting until the end of the regular season to qualify for the postseason. With 37 points, they are in eighth place in the Western Conference, occupying one of the Play-In positions. However, they have the same points as the seventh and one less than the sixth, which they aspire to surpass.

In their last game, they lost at their stadium against Toronto (0-1). But one good thing about this club is that they play better away from home, being the sixth-best away team in the MLS with six wins, two draws, and five defeats. They have two victories against Vancouver Whitecaps (3-4) and San Jose Earthquakes (0-1), and have suffered only one loss in their last six matches.

The problem for the Texans has been their attack, and with 35 goals scored they are one of the teams with the worst numbers. Among the top 22 teams in the league, only Austin (30) and Charlotte (31) have fewer than them. The top scorer is young Nigerian Ibrahim Aliyu, with six goals, but he has four league games without scoring. Sebastian Ferreira and Latif Blessing have five each but several matches going blank.

Among the injured are Panama’s Adalberto Carrasquilla, who could return by this weekend, and Colombia’s Nelson Quiñones, who has not been able to play this year.

Final Betting Analysis: LAFC vs. Houston Dynamo

The last time they met was in last year’s conference final and Los Angeles won 2-0 with goals from Ryan Hollingshead and an own goal from Franco Escobar.

The numbers at Gambyl Exchange have Los Angeles FC as the favorite. Their Moneyline shows 1.65, Houston Dynamo has 4.84, and the draw is at 4.2.

Although Houston Dynamo is a very good visitor, Los Angeles FC is a great team and will want to get rid of the thorn of the Leagues Cup final, so they will take the victory. Go for a 2-0.

Go for a win for LAFC. If you bet $100 at 1.65, you will gain $65 for a total payout of $165.

LAFC vs. Houston Dynamo Betting Pick: LAFC