FC Dallas vs Vancouver Whitecaps: Preview and Prediction

By

 Aron Wright

FC Dallas vs Vancouver Whitecaps:
MLS Regular Season,
Date: Sunday, 31-July-2016
Kick-off: 23:30 UK
Venue: Toyota Stadium (Texas).

FC Dallas look to extend their stay at the top of Western Conference Table when they host play-off hopefuls Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday evening.

Dallas were held to a 1-1 draw away from home by Colorado Rapids in their last fixture. The Toros won 4 of their last six matches in MLS, with a horrible 5-0 defeat at Seattle being the only loss during the period. They are currently top of the Western Conference with 41 points from 23 matches, but played 3 games more than the second placed Colorado Rapids at a 3-point gap.

FC Dallas are on a strong run at home this season and are unbeaten in the 11 league games played at the Toyota stadium so far this season. They are also on a three match winning streak at home scoring 6 goals against 1 conceded.

The Whitecaps are 6th in the standings at the moment, a point behind Real Salt Lake and Kansas City and a point above 7th placed Portland Timbers. Vancouver Whitecaps are coming with two back-to-back draws. They were held to a goal-less draw at Huston last weekend, before playing out a 2-2 thriller at home against Orlando City. They are unbeaten in the last 4, but three of those are draws.

The away form of the Whitecaps is nothing to write about as they managed just three wins from the 10 matches played so far, losing 6. However, two of those 3 wins came in their last 5 trips. Vancouver Whitecaps haven’t scored in their last two away games.

FC Dallas: Team News

Oscar Pareja has no fresh injury concerns, but Zach Loyd remains sidelined with an injury.

FC Dallas: Expected Starting Eleven (4-2-3-1)

Seitz – Figueroa, Zimmermann, Loyd, Harris – Acosta, Diaz, Gruezo – Castillo, Barrios – Urruti.

Vancouver Whitecaps: Team News

Fraser Aird is available for selection after returning to full fitness. While Christian Dean and Russell Teibert are minor doubts in the trip to Dallas.

Vancouver Whitecaps: Expected Starting Eleven (4-2-3-1)

Ousted – Harvey, Parker, Jacobson, Smith – Teibert, Laba – Techera, Morales, Bolanos – Hurtado.

FC Dallas vs Vancouver Whitecaps: Head-to-Head Stats

• Dallas lead the head-to-head stats against Vancouver Whitecaps with 9 wins and 3 draws against 4 defeats from 16 matches played between the two sides.
• They had already met once this season, which finished in a 3-0 win for the Canadians at home on 23rd April 2016.
• The three match series in 2015 MLS season saw both tems winning 1 each at their respective home grounds, while one match end in a draw.
• Dallas were victorious in all of the 7 MLS meetings against Vancouver Whitecaps.

FC Dallas vs Vancouver Whitecaps: Head-to-Head Stats

Dallas are a strong side at home and are also on an excellent run of form in the league. They score majority of their goals while playing at home as they scored at least 2 goals in 9 of the 11 matches.

While the Whitecaps normally struggle while playing away from home, much of which owe to their poor defense. But they scored 11 goals in their last 6 games on the trip and could test the hosts with their direct play on Sunday.

I believe Dallas are in with a good chance to takeaway all three points from this match and I expect them to score at least twice here. I also back the match to witness both teams scoring, which automatically qualify for over 2.5 goals.

FC Dallas vs Vancouver Whitecaps: Tips

Over 2.5 goals.
Both Teams to Score and Dallas to win.