MLS: Minnesota United vs. FC Dallas Preview, Odds, Prediction

Minnesota United hosts FC Dallas in the opening game of this weekend’s MLS round. The two sides are in the playoff zone and currently sitting next to another, battling for a better position before the postseason. Dallas is in a bit worse situation because they have the most matches played of all the teams in the West. As for United, their form is solid and they currently have one point more than the upcoming rival, with two games in hand.

Preview

Minnesota United (-105) has three wins in a row, and they have been on the rise in the last two weeks. All the events ended with the same result, 2-1 for United, with the rivals, Nashville, on the road, and Austin and Dynamo at home.

They have the last six games finished with both teams scoring and seven in a row with three or more goals, and Adrian Heat’s crew is one of the most entertaining teams in the MLS.

Minnesota is very good at home, not losing the last six MLS games, posting four victories and two draws, in all but one event netting at least two goals. The majority of the clashes at the Allianz Field were with three or more hits and with both teams netting.

FC Dallas (+260) has mixed results lately. They subsequently had pair of victories and then a pair of games in which they couldn’t win. The most recent two were unsuccessful for FC, who lost in Nashville, 4-0 and then played 1-1 at home against Real Salt Lake.

That inconsistency could cost this unit a lot in the end, because they are in the playoff zone right now, but many teams behind Dallas have fewer games played and are able to reach the franchise from Texas.

Road games are one of the main issues for head coach Nico Estevez because his unit won only once on the road in the last seven events. In general, when FC plays on the road, those contests usually see goals on both ends, and that was in seven of the most recent 10 events. The same is with over 2.5 goals.

Latest News

United had a lot of injured players in the previous game, and most of them won’t be playing on Saturday afternoon – Dotson, Hansen, Hayes, Lawrence, Metanire and Weah.

Dallas should be in the best possible lineup with all the players available.

Head to Head Games

The first meeting this year was in May, and United won on the road in Dallas, 1-2. It was the first game after three in a row with three or more goals. FC Dallas is without a victory against this rival in the recent six events.

Prediction

Hosts are ruthless at home, and we don’t see why they shouldn’t put up good performances and post three points. Dallas struggles on the road, their defense is weak and tender, meaning that United has all the resources to triumph and keep itself in the secure zone when it comes to the playoff race.

Pick: Minnesota United wins