New York Red Bulls vs Houston Dynamo Predictions

A narrow victory for New York RB on Monday kept them two points behind Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference, but a victory on Thursday could see Chris Armas’ men got top of the table. Houston Dynamo ended their losing streak in the league on Friday when they secured a 1-1 draw with Western Conference leaders Dallas late on.

New York RB’s home game against DC United on Monday night was highly anticipated due to the visitors resurgence since the signing of Wayne Rooney. A month ago nobody would have given DC United a prayer heading into an away game against high flying New York RB, but their form has turned around so much since then that many were expecting a close and competitive game when the two clashed, and they weren’t disappointed.

Both teams had chances to score in the first half, but went in at the break goalless. Games between evenly matched or in form sides often produce fewer chances than other games, and this was no different, as both teams managed four shots on target  during the ninety minutes.

The games first and only goal arrived eleven minutes into the second half when New York RB midfielder Romero struck home a left footed effort from outside the box that rifled into the bottom corner. That strike by Romero was worthy of winning any game, but DC United will be disappointed to have lost a match that they should have taken a point from.

Houston Dynamo’s form has been so poor of late, they have slipped down to tenth in the Western Conference, and would not have been anticipating Friday’s home game against the Conference leaders Dallas.

Much to the hosts surprise, the two teams went in level at the break goalless, with neither team threatening enough in the final third to cause the other serious problems. The second forty-five progressed in a similar style and as the game went on you could see that both teams felt like they could win the game if they scored first.

Dallas did eventually take the lead through Barrios with just seven minutes left on the clock, and the home fans then assumed the worst as their sides losing streak looked certain to continue. However, a great response from Houston saw Peña presented with a late chance to equalise, which the Venezuelan took with open arms to secure the hosts a point and end their losing streak in the MLS.

Wright-Phillips top scores for Red Bulls once again this season, with the Englishman on sixteen MLS goals, but he’s unlikely to beat his record of thirty-one set in 2014. Houston Dynamo’s top scorer is Colombia’s Manotas with eleven goals, but he is closely followed by another of their South American stars Elis on nine.

We’re confident that New York RB will win on Thursday and that over 2.5 goals will be scored in the process, and have backed a final score of 3-1 to the hosts. Six of the last seven meetings between these two clubs have produced over 2.5 goals, and New York RB have won three of their last four games at home against Houston Dynamo. Three of both teams last six matches have produced over 2.5 goals, a trend we expect to continue on Friday.