Houston v Portland Timbers

Houston Dynamo vs Portland Timbers Preview

An all-Western Conference clash is up next as Houston Dynamo play host to Portland Timbers at the Shell Energy Stadium with both sides vying for a place in the top nine of the Conference and an important three points at stake for both teams heading into this Sunday evening encounter.

Houston Dynamo currently occupy the last of the top nine places as the hosts sit in ninth place on the Western Conference ladder and the hosts head into the resumption of this MLS season on the back of five matches without a win following three defeats and two draws.

Losses to Austin, Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United have outweighed the points earned in recent draws with Sporting Kansas and Colorado Rapids although it should be noted that the former two defeats were both inflicted upon Houston on their travels, while at home, Houston have been a very different prospect.

Houston have produced much more solidity in their results at the Shell Energy Stadium as they have been handed just two losses in their last 11 matches in their own backyard and this includes picking up seven wins along the way as well.

In addition, six of these last 11 home games have also produced Over 2.5 goals too.

Portland Timbers sit three league position and three points below Houston Dynamo prior to Sunday night's showdown at Shell Energy Stadium and despite failing to win any of their preceding five matches beforehand, Portland did manage to register a 3-2 home win against Columbus Crew just before the season break.

This recent win keeps Portland Timbers in touch with the top nine clubs but the visitors know they must start converting losses into draws and from draws into wins if they're to stand any chance of securing a possible top nine finish in this season's Western Conference.

The bigger picture shows Portland have managed to claim just two wins from their previous 11 games overall in the MLS, both of which came in the form of victories at home against Dallas and the aforementioned Columbus Crew but they've also lost four of these 11 games as well.

The story becomes even worse for Portland Timbers when looking at results away from home as The Timbers have pretty much done that, as the visitors have managed to muster just the single win from their last 14 outings on the road along with slipping to seven defeats in the process.

Houston Dynamo v Portland Timbers Verdict

Both Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers produced inconsistent results prior to the season break but of the two clubs, it appears Houston Dynamo hold the upper hand with home advantage behind them in this clash, especially given Portland Timbers' poor run of results on the road.

Therefore, our main bet will be Houston Dynamo win @ 1.90

Other side bets worth considering:

Houston Dynamo win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.87

Correct score: Houston Dynamo 3-0 @ 17.00