Week 10 MLS Picks: Dynamo Favored in Texas Derby

• Week 10 of the MLS season continues this weekend from May 4-5
• Can the Houston Dynamo defeat FC Dallas in the Texas Derby for the first time since 2016?
• DC vs Columbus rematch in the nation’s capital

Major League Soccer’s Week 10 schedule kicks off this weekend with 11 matches across Saturday and Sunday.

We take a look at a few of the top matches from the MLS Week 10 slate and provide some expert betting advice.

Houston Dynamo vs FC Dallas Odds

*Odds taken 05/03/19

Texas Derby Renewed

One of the most exciting rivalries in MLS comes in the form of the Texas Derby between in-state rivals Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas. The rivalry renews on Saturday, May 4th at 4:00 pm EST. The two battle for the right to win El Capitán, a replica 18th century mountain howitzer cannon.

With two of three meetings ending in a draw last season, and the final meeting resulting in a 4-2 Dallas win, FCD are the current holders of El Capitán.

On Saturday we fight to take it back. #ForeverOrange#TexasDerby | #HOUvFCD pic.twitter.com/pKKf1uBFOy

— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) May 1, 2019

Not much has gone right for Houston in the local rivalry of late. The Dynamo’s last win over Dallas came way back in March of 2016. Nine matches have since past without a Houston win.

However, that’s not to say everything has gone all wrong either. In fact, the FCD win last September was the first time either team had emerged victorious over the previous five encounters. Meaning six of the past nine head-to-heads have resulted in a draw.

Of their past nine matches, seven have seen both teams score.

While there’s usually little between the two, the other common ground is that goals are usually in the cards. Of those nine matches, seven have seen both teams score. In each of their past five matches that bet would have cashed.

2019 has seen each team off to a strong start in the West with Dallas fourth at 5-2-2 and 17 points, and Houston right behind at 5-1-1 and 16 points.

How does FCD come back from Houston with three more points?

Creative spark, wings and next level. @CarterBaum explains it all in the @Toyota Keys to the Match.#HOUvFCD | #DTID pic.twitter.com/lNLqlpBQ2R

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) May 2, 2019

Dallas drew 0-0 in their last match to San Jose, but are averaging 1.56 goals per game and saw each team find the back of the net in their five games previous.

The Dynamo average a whopping 2.14 goals per game and prior to shutting out Columbus 2-0 last week, had seen their games feature goals at both ends in each of their past five as well.

Best Bet: Both teams to score (-145)

DC United vs Columbus Crew Odds

Rematch in DC

From two teams having no trouble scoring to another two that can’t seem to buy a goal lately. DC United are second in the East at 5-2-2, while Columbus are fifth at 4-1-5. They will meet at DC’s Audi Field on Saturday, May 4th at 8:00 pm EST.

Despite their strong positions in the East table, neither team is in the best of form of late.

DC have lost two of their past three matches and were shut out in both. In fact they’ve only won two of their past six and have been held off the scoreboard four times.

Sandwiched between their two most recent losses was a 1-0 road win against this same Columbus side, only back on April 24th. The win came via a 27′ minute free kick goal by Wayne Rooney.

Being shutout is nothing new for Columbus. It’s already happened four times this season and in three of their past four games. The Crew are riding a four-game losing streak where they’ve scored just a single goal.

While their 11 goals allowed in 10 games is respectable, scoring just eight times all season puts them only above two teams in the league.

I’m not sure I fully trust either side in this one, but a low-scoring home win looks to be good value.

Best Bets: DC to win (+110) and under 2.5 goals (-120)

Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers Odds

Wide-Open Match in Utah?

The Timbers are continuing their long road swing to start the season while Providence Park is being renovated. They’ll travel to Salt Lake City to face RSL on Saturday, May 4th at 9:00 pm EST.

They have slowly begun to turn their season around with two straight wins after picking up just a single point in their previous six games.

Jeremy Ebobisse makes it back to back weeks with a goal, and now has scored 4 times in 8 games this year. His beautiful diving header also proved to be the match-winner. https://t.co/bqPthwzmYV

— Future USMNT (@FutureUsmnt) April 27, 2019

Portland has 11 goals in eight games, but have been unable to keep the ball out of their net, having conceded 19 times. The Timbers have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, but have scored six goals in their past three games. They outscored their opponents 5-2 in their two recent wins.

The Timbers have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, but have scored six goals in their past three games.

RSL sit three points ahead of Portland in the West standings and have seen a similar return of goals scored and allowed with 11 scored and 16 conceded.

After two wins over Orlando and Cincinnati, they fell 2-1 to the Galaxy in LA last week. Salt Lake games have been filled with goals as six of their past seven have seen at least three goals.

A tough result in California pic.twitter.com/v4EvQlBbwY

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) April 29, 2019

With Portland, both teams have scored in six of their eight matches and over 2.5 goals has hit in all eight.

Head-to-head, at least three goals have been scored in each of their past five matches, including a 3-0 Portland preseason win earlier this year.

Best Bet: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (-140)

MLS Week 10 Parlay Bet

Just to throw another option out there, I’ll look to a small parlay featuring goals between Orlando and Toronto. Both teams finding the net has cashed in each of their past four head-to-heads and both are well, well over scoring and also allowing over a goal per game.

Mix that with a San Jose double chance (win or draw) bet at home to a struggling FC Cincinnati team coming off a 2-0 midweek loss in Philly and that has only scored once in six outings.

Parlay Bet: Orlando vs Toronto both teams to score and San Jose double chance (-120)