Preview: Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo - prediction, team news, lineups

On the other hand, the visitors make the journey this weekend aiming to snap a two-game losing streak and get their league campaign back on track.

Match preview

FC Dallas showed great resolve to narrowly see off the threat of Vancouver Whitecaps and claim a comeback 2-1 victory in Thursday's encounter.

Nico Estevez's men fell behind to Pedro Vite's opener midway through the first half but managed to level matters before the interval through Jesus Ferreira after which Ferreira grabbed his second of the game nine minutes into the second period to settle matters.

Consequently, the Hoops have moved up to third place in the Western Conference of the MLS table, two points adrift of division leaders Seattle Sounders with a game in hand.

Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit with little to choose as the last seven editions of this fixture have yielded two wins apiece for either team and three stalemates.

Currently on a splendid run of four victories and a draw across their most recent five home matches, Sunday's hosts will be confident of emerging triumphant in front of their fans once again.

Houston Dynamo fell to an agonising 1-0 defeat against fellow playoff hopefuls Minnesota United in Thursday's meeting between the sides at Allianz Field.

Ben Olsen's men conceded a 14th-minute strike to Bongokuhle Hlongwane and never quite managed to muster enough attacking threat to get themselves back in the game.

Having picked up 14 points from their 11 matches so far, El Naranja sit eighth in the Western Conference standings, outside the playoff place by one point.

Winless in their five league matches away from home this term, Sunday's visitors now prepare for what is set to be another daunting assignment on the road.

Dallas Major League Soccer form:

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Houston Dynamo Major League Soccer form:

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Team News

Dallas' Tarik Scott remains without an appearance since the turn of the year due to a knee injury which he picked up while in action for former club North Texas back in September.

Racking up eight goals and one assist, Jesus Ferreira has been directly involved in nine of his side's 15 goals, making him one to keep an eye on.

Ifunanyachi Achara and Tate Schmitt are ruled out for Houston Dynamo through knee problems, while 27-year-old Teenage Hadebe is still nursing a leg injury.

Erik Sviatchenko is yet to make his debut for his new employers following his arrival from Midtjylland and he will have to wait a little longer due to injury.

Hector Herrera missed his side's last outing due to a one-game suspension but the Mexican international is eligible to feature once again and should return to the XI here.

Dallas possible starting lineup:

Paes; Twumasi, Nkosi-Tafari, Antonio, Farfan; Cerrillo, Quignon; Obrian, Ntsabeleng, Velasco; Ferreira

Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:

Clark; Escobar, Dos Santos, Bartlow, Steres; Quinones, Artur, Herrera, Baird; Ibrahim, Carrasquilla

We say: Dallas 2-0 Houston Dynamo

Given Dallas' impressive home record and Houston' woeful record on the road, it is hard to envisage any other outcome than a win for the hosts. We are tipping the home team to claim all three points in a relatively comfortable manner.

How to watch

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