Real Salt Lake will play hosts to Houston Dynamo in a bout between two playoff teams in the Western Conference that is sure to bring us a lot of excitement. With that said, it’s a good time to check out our MLS odds series, which includes our Salt Lake-Houston prediction and pick we have laid out below.
Real Salt Lake survived a midseason drop in results and they are still around the top of the conference, occupying the 4th spot with just four points between them and LAFC, conference leaders. Now, they have a chance to take some points off of another playoff team in Houston and possibly derail their plans about better solidifying their position in the playoffs. Houston, on the other hand, are likely drawing a ton of confidence from their win against LA Galaxy last week, as they seem to be out of the funk which saw them lose four in five games. The Dynamo will be looking to continue good results and slay another high-positioned Western Conference team.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Salt Lake-Houston MLS odds:
MLS Odds: Salt Lake-Houston Odds
Salt Lake: (-120)
Houston: (+300)
Draw: (+240)
Over: 2.5 (-106)
Under: 2.5 (-116)
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Why Salt Lake Could Win This Game
Salt Lake are a team of streaks, or so it seems. After being undefeated with three wins in their first four games, RSL waited for six games for their next MLS win, and that poor streak included an embarrassing loss of 6-0 versus NYCFC. It was a very bad time for RSL fans, but they seem to be out of it, with just a single loss in their last five games and, overall, 10 out of 15 points won. Despite that poor streak a couple of weeks back, Salt Lake are still in the playoffs – and they look to attack the top of the conference.
Being just four points off the top, Salt Lake will be looking to win all of their easier games, against opponents beneath them in the table, to still have a shot at challenging the top three. They were able to win out versus Austin FC a couple of weeks back and in those kinds of games, any points would be welcome. Since Houston are underneath them, it will be important for RSL to win this game and it will be extra motivation for this specific match.
In terms of individual talent, we have to highlight their midfield and defense, headlined by Pablo Ruiz and Justen Glad. Both of them have been playing fantastic football and will look to lead Real Salt Lake from the defensive side of the field. Offensively, Bobby Wood and Maikel Change should make the difference, but the Salt Lake attack is so varied that it is difficult to see one single player leading the line. Look for these names to be critical for any Salt Lake success.
Why Houston Could Win This Game
After a fantastic start and a single defeat in their first seven games, it was not easy to be a Houston Dynamo fan. Four straight losses, five in six games, and losses against such teams as DC United and the Seattle Sounders, teams in the bottom half of the MLS standings overall. Yet, it all turned around during a great night in LA, when Houston won 3-0 versus the favored Galaxy. That was the last matchday, and now they have a chance to slay another giant.
Houston could win this game based on just the ability to look back and say that they slew such a huge franchise and a top team in the conference in LA Galaxy. They have already done it, so a lot of questions of “why not RSL as well?” will be flying across the Houston locker room come Saturday. They are a very talented team and one that can beat anyone on their day, just like their day was the last matchday versus Galaxy. Thus, they should be looking very confident going out on the field of Rio Tinto Stadium.
Individually, Houston will rely on the likes of Darwin Quintero and Sebastian Ferreira. Both of them have been fantastic this season, scoring a combined 10 goals and dishing out three assists in the time they were featured on the field. Their main support will come from Adam Lundqvist, the Swedish left back who already has three assists from that position. If they are all rocking and rolling, it will be tough for Houston not to score a couple of goals come Saturday night.
Final Salt Lake-Houston Prediction and Pick
It is a very tough game to predict. Common reason would say that Salt Lake are the favorites, but Houston did just have a massive win. Momentum is a major factor in football, so they might be ahead for this match. Despite the quality of Real Salt Lake's roster, our final Salt Lake-Houston prediction is a Houston win at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Final Salt Lake-Houston Pick: Houston (+300)
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