Houston Dynamo vs LAFC Preview
LAFC travel to the Shell Energy Stadium to face the Houston Dynamo on September 7 at 8:30 pm. The clash marks the second of a double-header after the sides met last weekend at BMO Stadium in California.
Los Angeles has been one of the strongest sides in the MLS this season, sitting second in the Western Conference. Houston has hit form late in the season and has made it to the playoff positions. Can the Dynamo claim a firmer grasp on a playoff spot or will LAFC edge closer towards first place?
Houston Dynamo vs LAFC Head-To-Head and Key Stats
LAFC and the Houston Dynamo have met on fourteen occasions. Los Angeles boasts the better record in their rivalry with six wins, three losses, and five draws. They last met just a week ago at BMO Stadium. Houston stunned the Black and Gold Falcons to claim a 2-0 victory and stretch their away win streak to three games.
Houston was on top for much of the first half and consistently found shooting opportunities in the 18-yard box. Ibrahim Aliyu’s smart, curling shot towards the top right corner forced a strong save from Hugo Lloris in the 24th minute. LAFC collapsed under the Dynamo’s pressure four minutes later when Ezequiel Ponce opened the scoring. Cristian Olivera’s free kick bounced around in the box before falling to Ponce’s feet, who slotted home from close range.
The Argentinian nearly scored a brace in the 37th minute when he rose highest to head Aliyu’s cross towards the goal. Lloris pulled off a spectacular save to his bottom left, and the half ended 1-0 for Houston. LAFC’s poor performance in front of goal continued in the second half with most of their attempts coming from range, directly at goalkeeper Steve Clark.
Houston caught Los Angeles napping at the back to double their lead in the 71st minute. Franco Escobar’s through ball allowed Lawrence Ennali to bear down on goal at pace before rounding the keeper with ease and finishing into an open net. Houston walked out deserved 2-0 victors, dominating the game with 63% possession and forcing better openings than the Falcons.
That loss meant that LAFC stayed on 47 points, five behind first-placed LA Galaxy in the Western Conference. The Black and Gold Falcons have three games in hand over the conference leaders and have another chance to catch up to their rivals in the second game of this double-header.
Houston has landed in a playoff spot with their victory. They are seventh in the West on 40 points during what looks to be a competitive climax in the regular season. Just five points separate ninth and fifth place with Houston smack bang in the middle. Any points on the board are important for the Dynamo to maintain their position in the playoffs.
Denis Bouanga was quiet in this game, but the striker has been on fire for most of the season. The Gabon international has 16 league goals, leading the charts for LAFC and placing him second overall in the league. He will miss this game following his call-up by Gabon for international fixtures. Iconic French striker Olivier Giroud will take his place after signing for the club in May. He presents a fresh problem for Houston with his size and hold-up play and they will need a new plan to cope with such an accomplished player.
Argentinian forward Ezequiel Ponce became Houston’s record transfer signing when he arrived from AEK Athens on June 17 for a fee believed to be around $8 million. The 27-year-old scored his first goal for the club in the Leagues Cup three weeks ago before netting his first MLS goal against LAFC last week. He was a constant threat in attack and was unlucky not to double his tally. Ponce will lead the line for Houston on Saturday and LAFC must have a plan for the Argentinian after he ran them ragged last weekend.
Houston Dynamo vs LAFC Predictions
Correct score predictions: Houston Dynamo 1-2 LAFC
LAFC played well below their best last week and must play the reverse fixture away from home. However, the Black and Gold Falcons are unbeaten in seven league games on the road, a record that stretches back to May. We are going against the grain with our soccer prediction and backing LAFC to win at Shell Energy stadium.
The LA-based side has been one of the best teams in the league this season. They finished as runners-up in the Leagues Cup final, an impressive achievement in such a tough competition. They have remained second in the Western Conference despite playing the fewest games in the league.
Los Angeles is in the best away form across the entire league. They have 13 points from a possible 15 in their last five road games. Last week’s performance was an outlier and we can attribute it to their heavy schedule over the last eight weeks. They reached the Leagues Cup final and had a two-day break heading into their game against Houston after their midweek fixture in the US Open Cup. This is the first time they have had a full week between fixtures since the end of July. A well-rested LA will be far more dangerous in this fixture than the team we saw last week.
Road W.#SEAvLAFC pic.twitter.com/HVkGyWyy6W
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 21, 2024
Houston is the favourite for a reason. They are unbeaten in four of their last five league games and deserved their victory over LAFC last week. With a dominant away win over their opponents on their record, it is no surprise that Houston is fancied to win this game. This will be a tight contest between two strong sides.
The signing of Ezequiel Ponce has been a real lift for Houston Dynamo. They were struggling for a goalscorer and Ponce could give them the firepower they were looking for. He played LAFC off the park in his last performance and was unlucky not to score more. He is a handful in the air standing at 5’11” with excellent jumping reach and has fast feet and clinical finishing. The Argentinian will be Houston’s biggest goal threat in this game.
Houston Dynamo vs LAFC Betting Tips
Both sides are plus money in the moneyline for this game. Houston is the favourite after their victory last week and now has the home advantage. However, LAFC is one of the best teams in the league away from home. This game will be tight, but we are backing Los Angeles to gain a measure of revenge over Houston. We like a bet on LAFC, worth +220 at Novibet.
Denis Bouanga has been in excellent form this season. The Gabonese forward was the top scorer in the MLS last season and is fighting to claim back-to-back Golden Boot awards. However, he will miss this game after being called up for his national team. Legendary French striker Olivier Giroud will take his place. The former Arsenal, Chelsea, and AC Milan striker is France’s all-time leading goalscorer and the MLS betting markets have him as one of the favourites to score in Houston. We are backing him to net his first league goal for the Orange Crush, worth +180 with our online sportsbook.
Houston has conceded at home in three of their last four games. LAFC has scored in every one of their away games this season. The soccer betting odds suggest goals are expected in this game. We like a bet on both teams to score, worth -179 for anyone looking to bet online.
Live betting is also an option for this game. This clash is tighter than the odds indicate, and picking a winner is tough. It may be beneficial to wait for the game to kick off and analyze the flow of the game before placing a bet. You can also bet at a reduced risk when you sign up using our welcome bonus!
Houston Dynamo Team News
Lawrence Ennali’s injury against LAFC has dealt Houston a tremendous blow. The club confirmed he left the field with an ACL tear and the winger will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. Nelson Quinones will not return this season with a similar injury. Jefferson Valverde has struggled with a hip injury since signing in April and is questionable for this game.
- Predicted lineup: Steve Clark, Escobar, Sviatchenko, Micael, Dorsey, Herrera, Artur, Aliyu, Bassi, Carrasquilla, Ponce.
LAFC Team News
Six players have been called up for international duty and will miss this game. Denis Bouanga, Maxime Chanot, Cristian Olivera, Mateusz Bogusz, and Omar Campos will all be with their national sides. Jesus Murillo missed last week’s match against injury with a knee issue and is questionable for this game. Lorenzo Dellavalle will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury.
- Predicted lineup: Lloris, Hollingshead, Long, Segura, Palencia, Sanchez, Tillman, Atuesta, O’Brien, Kamara, Giroud.
