MLS betting tips: LAFC must end goalscoring drought against leaky Houston Dynamo
- George Dempsey
- 13 June 2023
LAFC will be desperate to return to winning ways when they face Houston Dynamo at BMO Stadium in midweek MLS action.
Los Angeles FC will look to avoid making more unwanted club history as they face a Houston side who beat them 4-0 just days ago.
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Los Angeles FC vs Houston Dynamo verdict
Enough is enough. Los Angeles FC are winless in five games in all competitions and have failed to score in their last four MLS matches.
This run of form is unprecedented. LA had never failed to score in consecutive matches until they followed a 1-0 home defeat against Leon with a 0-0 draw versus Atlanta.
To add to that, LA had never lost three consecutive matches in all competitions until LA Galaxy and Club Leon helped break that record.
Saturday's 4-0 defeat brings up two more records. It was the second-heaviest defeat in club history and the first time LAFC have failed to score in back-to-back MLS matches.
They're no Inter Miami, but it's a tragic run of form by their own impeccably high standards. Interestingly, their opponents on Wednesday are Houston, the same team who thrashed them 4-0 at the weekend.
Despite their dry spell, the attacking quarter of Denis Bouanga, Carlos Vela, Kwadwo Opoku and Stipe Biuk have scored 29 goals in 24 matches this season.
It really does feel like enough is enough. LA should be angry and vengeful against the Dynamo and the weekend result should only enhance their motivation.
Steve Cherundolo's men haven't had many issues at home. Draws against Sporting KC and Atlanta came on the back on a busy period.
Portland, New England, Dallas, Austin and San Jose have all been beaten here with LA scoring at least twice in each game. Those are some good sides.
Do you know who are not a good side? Houston. At least not on their travels. They've conceded nine in their last two away matches and 19 in eight this season.
Only two sides have a larged expected goals against than Houston (15.8). They're giving up lots of chances and they're being punished. Conversely, LAFC xG against at home is 4.2 and they've conceded just five.
Both teams are on a level playing field with a quick turnaround here and while LA have lost just once in 20 home games, Houston have won two of 20 on their travels, conceding an average of 2.35 goals per game.
Based on our projections, the most likely scorelines for this match are all LAFC wins, 2-0, 3-0 and 1-0. There's a better than 50% chance that LA score at least twice.
We're going to back the hosts to bounce back in style. Houston will be starved of chances and although their record suggests they'll score, they won't be able to keep up with LA.
Given the urgency, we also think it's worth backing LA to score early and lead at half-time. They've outscored their opponents 7-1 at home in the first half.
