FC Dallas vs Philadelphia Union Match Analysis and Prediction

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FC Dallas will play host to Philadelphia Union in the MLS on Thursday, with the hosts sitting third in the Western Conference and the visitors topping the Eastern Conference.

However, Dallas’s cushion inside the playoff spots is still just six points, so they cannot afford to rest on their account having failed to qualify for the next stage last season.

After winning the MLS Cup twice in their history, most recently in 2016 when beating New England Revolution 4-2 in the final, there is always significant pressure on them to reach the playoffs as a minimum expectation.

So far, Nico Estevez has put his side on course to achieve that goal in his debut season in charge of the club, having left his role as United States’ assistant to take his first head coaching role in Dallas.

Having beaten San Jose Earthquakes 4-1 last time out at the Toyota Stadium, the Spaniard will feel confident of his side becoming more competitive against the most in-form side from the East of the country on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia Union are on a serious roll at the moment, having won six of their last seven matches ahead of their trip to Dallas this week.

Their form should come as no surprise to anyone given that they have finished inside the top three spots of the Eastern Conference in each of the last three seasons, including toppoing the overall MLS leaderboard in 2020.

However, Jim Curtin’s side are still searching for a maiden MLS Cup despite qualifying for the playoff in four of their last five campaigns.

Last season was the closest that Philadelphia Union have come since joining the MLS in 2010, but they fell short at the second-last hurdle after going down to a 2-1 defeat to eventual winners New York City FC.

FC Dallas vs Philadelphia Union head to head

The two teams have previously met on 15 occasions across all competitions, where Dallas have calimed eight victories while Philadelphia have won three, and they have drawn in four. Dallas have scored 27 goals and conceded 16. In their last five meetings, Dallas have won three while Philadelphia have won two.

Philadelphia Union 3-1 Dallas 06/08/17

Dallas 2-0 Philadelphia Union 22/04/18

Philadelphia Union 2-1 Dallas 07/04/19

Philadelphia Union 2-3 Dallas 19/02/20

Dallas 2-0 Philadelphia Union 01/03/20

FC Dallas latest home form

FC Dallas have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They defeated San Jose Earthquakes 4-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded four.

Dallas 1-1 Inter Miami 05/07/22

Dallas 0-1 New York City 14/07/22

Dallas 1-1 Austin 17/07/22

Dallas 1-0 LA Galaxy 31/07/22

Dallas 4-1 SJ Earthequakes 14/08/22

FC Dallas latest away form

FC Dallas have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their six most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Portland Timbers in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded seven.

Los Angeles 3-1 Dallas 30/06/22

Houston Dynamo 2-2 Dallas 10/07/22

Real Salt Lake 0-1 Dallas 24/07/22

Seattle Sounders 1-0 Dallas 03/08/22

Portland Timbers 1-1 Dallas 07/08/22

Philadelphia Union latest home form

Philadelphia Union have recently been on a good run of form at home, having won each of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Chicago Fire 4-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 21 goals and conceded just three.

Philadelphia Union 2-1 New York City 27/06/22

Philadelphia Union 7-0 DC United 09/07/22

Philadelphia Union 2-1 New England 17/07/22

Philadelphia Union 6-0 Houston Dynamo 31/07/22

Philadelphia Union 4-1 Chicago Fire 14/08/22

Philadelphia Union latest away form

Philadelphia Union lost 3-1 to Cincinnati in their last away game in the league. However, they have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their previous three matches. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded five.

Chicago Fire 1-0 Philadelphia Union 30/06/22

Columbus Crew 0-0 Philadelphia Union 04/07/22

Inter Miami 1-2 Philadelphia Union 14/07/22

Orlando City 0-1 Philadelphia Union 24/07/22

Cincinnati 3-1 Philadelphia Union 07/08/22

FC Dallas news

FC Dallas do not appear to have any fresh injury concerns preventing Nico Estevez from picking his strongest XI.

Barring any fatigue, he will likely pick the same side which defeated San Jose 4-1 at the weekend, with Jesus Ferreira hoping to pick up from where he left off after bagging a brace.

Philadelphia Union news

Philadelphia Union are set to make their long trip to the west with a fully-fit squad, barring any fresh injury concerns within their camp.

Given their strong position in the table, Curtin could bring Jose Andres Martinez into the midfield to freshen things up, with Leon Flach potentially rested to make way.

Prediction and Odds

Both teams enter the contest having fared on well in the regular season so far, so we can envisage a share of the spoils.

Philadelphia Union are second in the overall MLS table at the moment, but with a long trip ahead of them to Dallas, they would likely be content with avoiding defeat.

Odds: 1 2.30 X 2.05 2 2.20