The most evenly balanced of the remaining three Major League Soccer Conference semi-finals is the final game to be played on Sunday between Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo. The first leg of this tie ended 0-0 in Houston and means both teams are still in with a good chance of making progress coming into this game. Will we be in for nervy, low scoring match with both teams’ happy to sit back and wait for their opponent to make a mistake or will the teams come out with the desire to get forward and take control of the game?
MLS BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas – 31st Sunday October – 01:30 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 14/5 at Skybet |
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Houston Dynamo
Portland TimbersPortland Timbers Form
The 0-0 draw in Houston means Portland Timbers have lost only 2 of their last 10 MLS games and will feel confident of completing the job in-front of their own fans at Providence Park. The 0-0 draw in the first leg was the first game in 24 where Portland Timbers have failed to score a goal. They will want to put that right on Sunday and know a single goal could be all it takes for them to qualify for the Conference finals. Portland have not had things all their own way when on the road and will be pleased to come back with the tie level thanks to their excellent home record. Portland Timbers have won each of their last 6 home MLS games and know one more win is all they need to qualify for the next round.
Houston Dynamo Form
In holding Portland Timbers to a 0-0 draw in the first leg, Houston Dynamo made it 5 matches without defeat. In fact, they have remained undefeated in their last 8 MLS games and if they can extend that to 9, it could be good enough to see them through to the Conference finals.
Houston Dynamo have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 4 MLS games, including the first leg of this tie and if they can make it 5 clean sheets in a row, they will at least take this tie to extra-time, with the prospect of penalties. However, away from home in the MLS, Houston Dynamo won just one of their last 19 away matches, meaning the draw may be the best they can hope for if they want to win the tie.
Team News
Portland Timbers will be without the injured trio of Gbenga Arokoyo, Chance Myers and Diego Chara. They also have doubts over the fitness of David Guzman and Sebastian Blanco. Houston Dynamo travel without the suspended goalkeeper Tyler Deric, who will miss the match due to an off-field matter. Joe Willis will play in goal for this game. George Malki, Memo Rodriguez, AJ DeLaGarza and Leonardo are injured.
Top Betting Tips
Having left Houston with a 0-0 draw, Portland Timbers will be hoping to complete the job at Providence Park. They have a strong recent home record and Houston Dynamo have struggled to win games on the road. Portland are 7/10 with Ladbrokes to win the game and progress. Portland Timbers have not conceded many goals in their last 6 home games, with just 3 being scored against them on home turf. Houston Dynamo have managed 1 away goal in their last 3 games. Portland Timbers are 9/4 with Ladbrokes to win the match to nil. Midfielder Diego Valeri remains Portland Timber’s greatest goal threat and Ladbrokes offer 3/1 for the Argentine to open the scoring.