Houston Dynamo vs SJ Earthquakes - Major League Soccer

Houston Dynamo sits in 2nd place with 38 points, five points behind Vancouver, and comes in hot against a SJ Earthquakes side that is fourth but in the midst of a storm.

Houston Holds the Edge in the West

The Dynamo are on a run of five wins from their last six matches, often without conceding a single goal. At home, they haven't let anything slip lately, and they face an opponent that historically suits them.

San Jose's Defense is Sinking

For their part, San Jose may have finalized the signing of Eduard Löwen from St. Louis City to strengthen their midfield, but their defense is cracking all over: 18 goals conceded in their last six outings, without ever keeping a clean sheet. The reinforcement targets the midfield, not the back line.

A History of High Scores

Their recent encounters are rarely cagey: an average of 3.3 goals over their last four meetings, with both teams scoring in three of them. With 12 goals this season already, Houston's Guilherme has the profile to punish such a fragile defense.

A Minor Concern for Houston

The Dynamo will have to manage without Jack McGlynn, their main creator and penalty taker, which could make their play a notch less fluid. But against an opponent that concedes every time out, finding the back of the net shouldn't be their main worry.

Everything points towards an open game: Houston's attack, San Jose's crumbling defense, and a high-scoring head-to-head history. The pick goes on Over 2.5 goals, with high confidence on the abundance of goals and more measured confidence on the identity of the winner. What to avoid: betting heavily on a Dynamo win, as they are capable of winning by a narrow 1-0 margin.