Portland Timbers vs Houston Dynamo Prediction & Betting Tips - Major League Soccer

Prediction published on 20/10/2023, 17:16  by Joseph King | Modified on 20/10/2023 at 19:02 in Major League Soccer Predictions

Decision Day in the MLS, the moniker given to the final day’s fixtures, sees the seventh-placed Portland Timbers hosting the fourth-place Houston Dynamo. There is plenty on the line for both teams: Portland will be looking to seal their spot in the postseason while Houston will be playing to secure home field advantage in the first round. Portland’s 43 points has them four points behind the Whitecaps, meaning they won’t be able to clinch sixth. However, a win against Houston sees the Timbers earn automatic qualification to the playoffs. The hosts will be trying to avoid having to enter into the play-in, which is a one-off game between eighth and ninth to determine the final playoff participant. They could even see themselves eliminated altogether should they lose and a number of results go against them. The Timbers are coming off a heavy 4-1 away loss to Montreal in their last outing. The defeat snapped a seven game unbeaten run for the hosts who had really turned their form around in the last two months.

The Dynamo currently hold home field advantage thanks to their top four seed but could see that slip on the final day. They could finish anywhere between second and sixth-place depending on the results around the league, highlighting just how congested the West is. Houston trail second-place LAFC by three points but hold the head-to-head advantage over them. They also hold a slim one point lead over fifth-place RSL and sixth-place Vancouver. The Dynamo are coming off a dominant 5-1 home win over Colorado in their most recent fixture two weeks ago. It means that the visitors continue their excellent run of form to end the season which saw them lift the US Open Cup and lose just once in their last 12 games. Key to their success this season has been their home results where they have won 11 from 17 league fixtures.