Houston Dynamo vs Montreal Impact Predictions

Houston Dynamo could only managed a 1-1 draw in their opening game of the new MLS season, and in midweek were beaten by Mexican side Tigres UANL in the 1st leg of their Champions League tie. Montreal Impact enjoyed a fruitful pre-season and transferred that excellent form into their first game of the season away at SJ Earthquakes where they took home all three points. The visitors will be hoping that their hosts have one eye on the 2nd leg next week as they go in search of back to back wins and a 100% start to the campaign.

Houston Dynamo found themselves 1-0 down at the halftime interval when they played host to Real Salt Lake last weekend, with Rusnák’s fortieth minute effort handing the visitors a deserved lead. Real Salt Lake created more goal scoring opportunities during the ninety minutes, but were punished for their failure to take any of them when Manotas equalised for the hosts shortly after the hour mark and the game ended 1-1. Montreal Impact went 1-0 down early on away at SJ earthquakes, but the visitors responded really well and went in at the break in front thanks to goals from Piatti and Taïder. The onus was on the hosts to push forward in the second half in search of an equaliser, which they did, but Montreal Impact defended manfully and held on to secure an impressive away win.

The performances of both teams during pre-season and on the open weekend, along with Houston Dynamo’s Champions League commitments lead us to believe that Montreal Impact will take something from this weekends match and that there will not be may goals scored, if any, during the ninety minutes. Montreal Impact have won three of the last six meetings between these two clubs and the visitors are unbeaten in their last six matches, picking up four wins and two draws. Houston Dynamo have failed to win three of their last six matches, including their opening game of the season. Montreal Impact have kept five clean sheets in their last six matches and under 2.5 goals have been scored in four of those six games, while fewer than three goals have also been scored in five of Houston Dynamo’s last six matches.

Manotas played a key role for Houston Dynamo last season scoring nineteen league goals, and the Colombian is already off the mark following his goal against Real Salt Lake. Piatti has been Montreal Impact’s key player for a number of seasons now and even at the age of 34 the Argentinian continues to prove his worth, having scored during the victory over SJ Earthquakes. We’re confident that Montreal Impact will leave Texas with at least a draw and have backed the visitors with a double chance bet and for the scoreline to ended goalless. Montreal Impact don’t have a good record away from home against Houston Dynamo, but the visitors are unbeaten in their last six matches, have kept five clean sheets during that period, and picked up all three points on the road last weekend. Houston Dynamo are bound to have one eye on their must win 2nd leg in the Champions league next week, and that could have an effect on their team selection and substitutions on Saturday.