Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake Predictions

Houston Dynamo qualified for the next round of the Champions League in midweek and that result will hand Saturday’s hosts a confidence boost heading into the first game of the new season against Real Salt Lake. The visitors have not enjoyed the best of pre-seasons, picking up just one win from their four matches, but haven’t lost any of their last three games against Houston Dynamo which will give them hope of a positive start to the season.

Houston Dynamo were 1-0 up in their Champions League tie against Guatemalan side Guastatoya heading into Wednesday’s home leg, and when Navarro put the visitors 1-0 up in the seventy-second minute, it looked like the tie might go into extra time. However, two goals in the final thirteen minutes from Manotas saw Houston Dynamo claim a 3-1 aggregate victory. Real Salt Lake ended a disappointing pre-season with a sorry display at Portland Timbers, going down by three goals to nil. The visitors will be hoping that they have saved their best displays for the real thing, starting on Saturday against Houston Dynamo.

The recent head to head record between both teams and both sides results and performances heading into Saturday’s match suggests there are goals in this game for both teams and that we can look forward to an open, end to end, and attacking ninety minutes. Three of the last four encounters between these two clubs have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals, while three of Houston Dynamo’s last six and four of Real salt Lakes’ last five matches have also ended with both teams on the scoreboard and at least three goals scored. Going by the form of the two teams you’d have to back Houston to win, as they have won five of their last six matches, but Real Salt Lake are unbeaten in their last three games against Saturday’s hosts.

Centre-back Aljaz Struna is the most notable signing to come through the doors at Houston Dynamo, arriving from Serie B outfit Palermo, replacing Swiss defender Philippe Senderos. Orlando City full-back Donny Toia has joined Real Salt Lake, while striker Ricky Lopez-Espin has left the club for LAFC. We’re confident that both teams will score and over 2.5 goals will be produced on Saturday, and have backed the match to end in a 2-2 draw. The hosts have had a much better pre-season than their guests, but Real Salt Lake have a good recent record against Houston Dynamo and the home side have had less time to recuperate and prepare for the game due to their Champions League commitments. Both teams have been scoring and conceding goals on a regular basis and that’s why we’re backing a 2-2 draw.