- Austin FC has drawn three and lost two of their last five matches in all competitions.
- Houston Dynamo has conceded 10 goals in three away MLS 2026 fixtures - an average of 3.33.
- Austin FC has won two of the last four meetings between the clubs at Q2 Stadium.
Copa Tejas clash should be a thriller
Austin FC can only manage a 3-3 draw away at Toronto FC in their last MLS 2026 fixture and looks to have no more than an outside chance of getting all three points when they take on an improved Houston Dynamo in the latest edition of Copa Tejas on Sunday.
The Orange Army is only just holding its head above water, with seven points from eight MLS 2026 games leaving them 23rd in the standings, while the visitors have a slight edge in the table with 9 points from seven matches putting them 18th.
The last meeting of these clubs in MLS 2025 finished 2-2 at Q2 Stadium, with each team winning twice and one draw in their last five meetings.
Dynamic duo set for tactical chess match
Nico Estevez has been Austin’s coach since October 2024 and has consistently changed his tactics and formation to take advantage of opponents’ weaknesses. His team can dominate possession and pressure the opponents high up the field, while they can also be a threat on the counter when teams press them back.
Ben Olsen’s Houston Dynamo is all about structure, structure, structure - and the ability of his creative midfield players to pick their way through the opposition when they have the ball. They are disciplined enough to sit deep and press in the right places to make the opposition make mistakes.
The visitors have the better form, having won their last two matches and two of their last five, but the odds for a home victory seem very low at 2.27. So we are going to take the higher odds available for an open, end-to-end game featuring goals at both ends when two good teams that know each other so well clash in this local derby.
Houston’s goal threat is top class
Houston Dynamo beat El Paso Locomotive 4-1 at home in the US Open Cup during the week and were solid in their 1-0 win at Orlando City SC in MLS 2026 last time out. Brazilian playmaker Guilherme Augusto has been a constant threat, scoring 5 goals and assisting 4 in 7 MLS 2026 appearances and laying on three assists in the club’s last five.
Austin FC have a consistent threat in Christian Ramirez up front with 2 goals in 7 MLS 2026 appearances. Estevez’s side has won 1, drawn 2 and lost 1 at home in MLS 2026, scoring 1.00 goals per game at Q2 Stadium, so it could be close at the end of the game. But we are taking the hosts to edge it in a Copa Tejas game that should thrill the neutral fans.
Over 2.5 goals is available at 1.88 and Both Teams to Score - Yes is an even more attractive 1.64.
