Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas Pick – MLS, August 21, 2020

Almost seven months after it first started, the 2020 MLS regular season resumes this week, and there are loads of exciting rivalry matchups for us to get our teeth into. On Friday, August 21, Houston Dynamo welcomes FC Dallas to BBVA Stadium for the latest instalment of the Texas Derby.

Dallas claimed the local bragging rights last season, crushing Houston 5-1. But who will rule the Lone Star State this time around? You can find my Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas prediction and betting pick below.

Neither of these teams have enjoyed much success so far this year, but Houston comes into this game as the favorite. Dallas was forced to pull out of the MLS is Back Tournament due to health and safety concerns, so perhaps the bookies have taken Dallas’ withdrawal into consideration when pricing up this matchup. Having said that, Houston didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory in Orlando.

Let’s attempt to make sense of the odds by taking a closer look at both sides.

It’s fair to say that Tab Ramos’ appointment as Houston manager is beginning to divide opinion among the club’s supporters. The Uruguayan learned his trade with the USMNT and was expected to take the Dynamo to the next level, but that hasn’t happened yet. Indeed, Houston is yet to win a competitive game in 2020.

After taking one point from a possible six before the campaign was suspended, the men in orange failed to make their mark at the MLS is Back Tournament. Two draws and a defeat saw the Dynamo finish second from bottom in Group F, but they failed to reach the knockout stages as one of the best third-place teams.

Meanwhile, Dallas missed out on the tournament altogether after illness swept through the squad. It was a shame, as the Toros had made a strong start to the regular season. Luchi Gonzalez’s side beat Philadelphia Union before drawing with Montreal Impact, but their campaign was paused before it could really get going.

With Nashville also missing out on the MLS is Back Tournament, Dallas has already played two games against Gary Smith’s team in order to catch up with the schedule. However, the Toros lost their first post-lockdown outing 1-0 before recording a disappointing goalless draw last time out. Can Dallas rise to the occasion and rediscover some form in the Texas Derby?

This is a tough game to predict. Both these teams have been pretty poor since soccer returned, and that’s why they find themselves in the bottom three of the Western Conference. The two sides have picked up eight points from a combined total of nine games this year, so I’m not expecting this to be a glamorous Texas Derby by any stretch of the imagination. A draw is on the cards here.