FC Dallas vs Seattle Sounders Prediction & Betting Tips - Major League Soccer

Prediction published on 04/11/2023, 12:08  by Devesh Jaganath in Major League Soccer Predictions

After an opening match win, the Seattle Sounders will head into the second game of their best-of-three first-round matchup with FC Dallas on Monday. The second seeds won the last match at home 2-0, and another victory here will be enough to see them through. Seventh-seed Dallas need a win to keep their qualification hopes alive and force a third and deciding match. The Sounders are in impressive form and come into this match unbeaten in their last 10 matches. They put in a good performance in match one, dominating for large parts, which was in contrast to their previous meetings earlier in the season. Both of the regular season matches between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw. However, Jordan Morris and Albert Rusnak's goals were sufficient to lead the team to a victory in the first game, securing a 1-0 series lead. The visitors also lead the all-time head-to-head standings 18-10, while 10 matches have ended level. However, on the road here, the bookmakers make the visitors the underdogs.

Meanwhile, not only is Dallas facing a 1-0 deficit in the series, but they will also have to cope without star player Alan Velasco. The Argentine has been ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs and a significant part of the 2024 season due to a torn ACL suffered at Lumen Field in game one. This is a notable setback for Dallas, considering Velasco's crucial role as one of the team's most creative players. History is not on the hosts' side either. The Sounders have successfully knocked them out in five out of six encounters. Dallas have not lost to this opponent in their last two matches at Toyota Stadium, and they will need to keep that record intact to keep their qualification hopes alive.