FC Cincinnati welcomes FC Dallas in an Eastern Conference contender vs. Western Conference struggler clash in the MLS. Going into the match, Cincinnati sit in 2nd, only behind Philadelphia, who lead the conference by 1 point. Their strong position early on in the season is a testament to their unbeaten run of form at the TQL stadium, where they host 11th-placed Dallas tonight.
Under new boss Eric Quill, FC Dallas has yet to find a strong footing in the season. And with an embarrassing away record in their 8 away matches, including 3 losses and 3 draws, Los Toros are heavy underdogs.
In stark contrast, Cincinnati have been thriving this season under Pat Noonan’s high pressing structure. They have notched up 5 wins and only 1 loss at home this season, with that blip in the road coming against Philadelphia.
Over the last 2 seasons, under Noonan, FC Cincinnati have proven to be a team with a stingy defence and a potent offence. And the 2023 Supporters’ Shield Winners have started this season no different. With Dallas struggling in the Western Conference, a clash between the two gives bettors a wealth of markets to explore.
In 2 Head-To-Head meetings, both teams have shared the spoils, winning 1 each. While only 1 of their meetings has resulted in both teams scoring, this meeting could be a strong case for the BTTS market, but we’ll get to that later.
Key Players
Kevin Denkey has been sensational this season, scoring 8 goals, while Evander, with 4 goals and 3 assists in 11 matches, is a huge threat from midfield, especially against Dallas, who will leave gaps open in transition.
Former Cincinnati man now in Dallas, Luciano Acosta is yet again the team’s most important player. Their highest goal scorer across competitions, and he could be the difference-maker for Dallas against his former club.
In their ranks, FC Dallas also has the pacey Ecuadorian, Anderson Julio. And he could create some problems for Cincinnati’s defence on the flank.
Expert Betting Tips and Prediction
Cincinnati To Lead At Half-Time
FC Cincinnati averages 1.4 goals per 90 under Pat Noonan. They have also scored 8 times in the first half this season in 15 matches. That makes it in 53% of their matches.
On the road, FC Dallas concedes 1 goal on average in the 1st Half in away games and has been behind at the end of the first half 50% of the time when playing away this season, showing how vulnerable they are early on.
With +128 Moneyline odds on BetOnline.ag, this option offers excellent returns, well-supported by the underlying statistics.
Evander To Score/Assist
With 7 Goals and 4 Assists already in the MLS, the Brazilian midfielder, Evander will look to exploit gaps left by Dallas in the Midfield.
Noonan’s system allows the home team to win the ball high up the field, allowing his midfield to be closer to the opponent’s goal and have multiple shots on target.
Both Teams To Score (BTTS) – YES
With 50% of fixtures amongst these two clubs resulting in both sides scoring, expect it to happen again. Neither sides have a good record defensively, with Cincinnati conceding 11 goals in their 6 home matches, while Dallas has conceded 14 goals in 8 games on the road.
And at the same time, Dallas has scored 11 away goals, while the hosts have scored 10 in 6 games at home. This shows the high possibility that both teams may score during the course of the match.
Maarten Paes To Make Over 2.5 Saves
With Cincinnati expected to have the majority of the shots, Dallas’ goalkeeper Maarten Paes making over 2.5 saves gives eye-catching returns to bettors.
Stats suggest Cincinnati averages 5.53 shots on target per 90, and with his 2.83 shots on target saved per game statistic backing Paes, it’s a profitable bet.
Prediction: Cincinnati To Win 2-1, with goal involvements from Evander and Kevin Denkey.
Disclaimer – All odds are subject to change from the time they are posted. Always gamble responsibly and consider all factors before placing a bet.
