The MLS Western Conference sets to get heated this week as Austin look to close in on the three points gap over Dallas. The match schedules for Monday at Q2 Stadium, with kickoff at 3 am.
The hosts ended their three-games losing streak with a 3-1 win over Portland Timbers last time out. On the other hand, the opponents are winless in their last three games, with their latest being a 2-2 draw to Houston Dynamo.
Head coach Wolff might want to play against the Timbers again and again because they seem to bring out his side’s very best.
Last Saturday, the lowest-scoring team in MLS were relentless in attack and fired on all cylinders with three goals within thirty minutes to claim a massive victory.
The team will hope to continue their momentum after the match against Portland that ended in a 4-1 victory earlier this year. However, they could not keep up with it following July 1, when they lost three straight matches afterwards.
Lucchi Gonzalez has to be frustrated that his side is so good against contending teams but struggles to win points off of beatable opponents.
Furthermore, Gonzalez has told his team that it is essential to channel their opponents’ energy, and they must do this against a loud home crowd on Sunday. Only four points separate the opponents from the San Jose Earthquakes.
Austin vs Dallas Head to Head
Both sides have two games against each other, with Austin without a win while Dallas with one win. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Austin FC 3-0 Portland Timbers
- Austin FC 1-2 Vancouver Whitecaps
- Real Salt Lake 1-0 Austin FC
- FC Dallas 2-0 Austin FC
- Austin FC 3-2 Houston Dynamo
Away
- Houston Dynamo 2-2 FC Dallas
- FC Dallas 0-1 Seattle Sounders
- FC Dallas 0-2 Sporting Kansas City
- Seattle Sounders 1-1 FC Dallas
- FC Dallas 4-0 LA Galaxy
Austin Team News
Diego Fernandez finds his form in the camp, especially after notching his four goals and becoming the second-highest scoring. Injury absentees at the camp include Ulises Segura and Aaron Schoenfeld with knee injuries.
FC Dallas Team News
Ricardi Pepi remains the main threat in attack with nine goals so far while netting the decisive penalty in their last draw to Dynamo. Injury absentees at the camp include Beni Redzic with an ankle sprain.
Prediction and Odds
We expect the opponents to go full attacking mode backed with a solid midfield to pick up the three points.
- Austin Win
- Correct Score: 2-1
- Goals Under 3.5
