Houston Dynamo FC vs Toronto FC – Match Preview

Major League Soccer action continues as Houston Dynamo FC prepares to welcome Toronto FC. This exciting Round 1 clash is set for Saturday, August 24th, at Shell Energy Stadium. The kick-off is at 00:30 GMT. Houston Dynamo FC, currently 11th with 37 points, aims to climb into the top half of the table. Toronto FC, in 18th place with 30 points, is looking to improve their position and get closer to the playoff spots. Both teams had hopes of a top-six finish at the start of the season. They are now focused on winning this match to start their campaigns on a positive note.

Houston Dynamo FC – Form

Houston Dynamo FC’s recent performances have been varied. They managed a surprising 2:2 draw against Toluca in an away match on August 10th. This result defied bookmakers’ expectations. Before that, they enjoyed a 3:0 victory over Real Salt Lake at home on August 6th. However, they faced a 0:1 defeat at home to Atlas on July 28th. These results highlight Houston Dynamo’s unpredictability.

Toronto FC – Form

Toronto FC has shown resilience on the road. They faced a tough match against Inter Miami CF on August 8th, ending in a 4:3 defeat. This was expected by bookmakers. Before this, they secured a 2:1 victory over Pachuca. They also managed a goalless draw against the New York Red Bulls. These outcomes show Toronto FC’s consistent performance level.

Houston Dynamo FC – Toronto FC – Head to Head

The last match between these two teams was on July 20, 2019. Houston Dynamo won with a score of 3-1. Looking at the last 10 matches, Houston Dynamo FC has won 4 times. Toronto FC has 2 wins, and 4 games ended in draws. This shows a slight dominance by Houston in these encounters.

In the last 5 clashes, both teams scored in 3 matches. This indicates a tendency for open play and scoring opportunities. Houston Dynamo FC has been resilient, not losing in 12 of their last 14 matches against Toronto FC. They managed to score in 19 of their last 21 encounters, showcasing their consistent offensive threat.

Houston Dynamo FC – Toronto FC – Standings

As this match approaches, Houston Dynamo FC is 11th in the standings with 37 points from 24 matches. They have scored 35 goals and conceded 30. Toronto FC is in 18th place with 30 points from 26 games. They have scored 34 goals but conceded 47. The seven-point gap between the teams could change after this match, with home advantage possibly playing a crucial role.

Houston Dynamo FC vs Toronto FC – Top scorers

The home team’s attack is led by Ibrahim Aliyu, who has scored 6 times this season. Latif Blessing and Carlos Ferreira have each added 5 goals. Sebastian Kowalczyk and Brad Smith have contributed 3 and 2 goals, respectively, showing the team’s scoring diversity.

The away team’s top scorer is Federico Bernardeschi, with 8 goals from midfield. Prince Osei Owusu and Lorenzo Insigne have been key in the forward positions, scoring 6 and 4 goals, respectively. Derrick Etienne and Matthew Longstaff have also been important, adding 3 and 2 goals to the team’s tally.

Houston Dynamo FC vs Toronto FC – Full-Time Betting

Bookmakers favor Houston Dynamo FC with odds of 1.65 for a home win. A draw is at 3.90, and an away win for Toronto FC is at 5.25. Houston’s solid form and historical advantage suggest they are the likely victors. Toronto’s recent struggles further tip the scales in Houston’s favor.

Alternative betting markets offer various odds. The “halftime-fulltime” bet for Houston leading at both intervals is at 2.20. The “draw-no-bet” market for Houston offers lower risk at 1.222. The “double-chance” bet for a Houston win or draw is at 1.167, appealing to those seeking minimal risk.

Houston Dynamo FC vs Toronto FC – Over/Under Betting

The odds for “Over 2.5” goals are at 1.70, indicating a moderate scoring game is expected. The average goals per game in their last 10 encounters is 3.1. Given both teams’ scoring and conceding records, “Over 2.5” at 1.70 is an interesting option. Conversely, “Under 2.5” goals at 2.10 may appeal to those expecting a cautious match.

Houston Dynamo FC vs Toronto FC – BTTS Betting

The BTTS odds are 1.70 for ‘Yes’ and 2.05 for ‘No’. Historical data shows both teams scoring in 5 of their last 6 meetings at Houston’s home ground. Given both teams’ recent scoring form, ‘BTTS: Yes’ at 1.70 is likely for bettors in this Round 1 fixture.

Houston Dynamo FC vs Toronto FC – Prediction