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Houston Dynamo host Mexican side Atlas at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday in their first group match of the 2024 Leagues Cup. The sides have been drawn alongside Real Salt Lake in the West 8 group.
With two wins from their last two outings, El Naranja enter the contest on the back of a good run. Following a tense 1-1 draw with Minnesota, they beat San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps in succession to build some momentum going into the cup.
Yet, they've won only 10 times from 24 games in the MLS, accumulating a mere 37 points and sit in sixth place of the Western Conference table.
Interestingly, their rivals from the Liga MX, also come into the fixture after back-to-back wins in their domestic league, overcoming Santos Laguna and Puebla to pick up their first pairs of wins this season.
With eight points in four games, the Red and Blacks are sixth in the Apertura table, but trail the leaders by just two points, as Cruz Azul, Pumas UNAM and Tigres UANL all have 10 points each.
Houston Dynamo vs Atlas Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- The sides meet for the first time in history
- Houston have faced a Mexican side on 24 occasions before in all competitions, winning only nine times
- On the other hand, their rivals from Guadalajara have faced an American side on eight occasions, but have won only twice: 2-1 vs Real Salt Lake in September 2022 and 1-0 vs New York City in July 2023
- Both sides have won their last two games by a one-goal margin: Houston beating San Jose 1-0 and Vancouver 4-3; the Guadalajara outfit seeing off Santos Laguna 1-0 and Puebla 2-1
- Atlas are unbeaten in their 2024 season so far, drawing and winning twice; whereas Houston are unbeaten in their last three
Houston Dynamo vs Atlas Prediction
Both sides will be eager to continue their unbeaten run, which could see them take a more cagey approach in the match. In such a case, expect minimum goal-mouth action, but the teams could eventually settle for a low-scoring draw.
Prediction: Houston Dynamo 1-1 Atlas
Houston Dynamo vs Atlas Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Draw
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes
