- Houston Dynamo have won four and lost one of their last five MLS 2026 matches, including a 1-0 win at Vancouver.
- San Jose Earthquakes have won zero, drawn one and lost four of their last five MLS 2026 fixtures, falling four straight.
- Houston Dynamo's home record in MLS 2026 is seven wins, one draw and two defeats, with an average of 0.70 goals conceded.
Dynamo have edge at home
Houston Dynamo should be a shade the more likely winner of Sunday's MLS 2026 clash with San Jose Earthquakes at Shell Energy Stadium, but the visitors' road record and recent H2H record means there is plenty of value in opposing the home side at 81/100.
The hosts, who are fourth in MLS 2026 with 38 points from 21 games, have been above their weight all season and are still performing with aplomb after they slipped up 2-1 to St. Louis City last time out. Houston Dynamo won their previous four games and, with just 0.70 goals conceded per game at home this term, are still an efficient unit at shelling out results on their home ground.
Ben Olsen has been in charge since November 2022 and his high press and high-tempo team can punish opponents who are sloppy in the build-up or lose the ball easily. Guilherme Augusto is Houston's main man with 12 goals in 20 MLS 2026 matches, while he has scored three times in the last five.
Tempo battle may go to Quakes
Bruce Arena has had a tenure at San Jose and has moulded the Quakes into a more possession-based and structured side in attack, although he is perhaps struggling with a lack of talent. The Earthquakes are eighth in the MLS 2026 West with 33 points from 21 matches, keeping the race tight.
Preston Judd leads the scoring charts with 11 in 20 for the Quakes, giving them a reliable finisher despite the slump of the last few weeks. They have been leaking goals and confidence recently, losing 1-0 to St. Louis, 2-0 to the LA Galaxy and being thumped 1-5 by the same opponents at Earthquakes Stadium.
Timo Werner has been a recent acquisition, but has added some spark in the final third with two goals in five, scoring two of their five goals across that time. San Jose like to overload the midfield and will try to take the tempo out of this game, but Houston can make the pace.
Quakes can nick it
We are inclined to support Houston for the win because of their home record, but the 53/20 quote on the visitors is too good to ignore, especially when they can put away goals when in good shape. The draw is also appealing at 31/10, but the 1-2 score line from their meeting in MLS 2025 comes to mind when siding with the road team.
The game should be open and a BTTS selection at 9/20 looks tempting, while over 2.5 goals at 12/25 is a decent fit with two of the game's top 25 scorers on the pitch. Houston have averaged 2.5 goals per game across the five head-to-head meetings at this venue while San Jose average 1.5 and that suggests there will be chances for both teams.
