Austin FC (8 wins, 3 losses, 4 draws) welcomes FC Dallas (7-4-4) to Q2 Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Austin FC vs. FC Dallas odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
The Saturday headliner features 2 up-and-coming clubs. FC Dallas, sitting in 4th place, will look to avenge an ugly 2-0 loss to the 8th-place Vancouver Whitecaps. FC Dallas had lost 3 of its last 4.
They’re captained by USMNT F Jesus Ferreira, who has 9 goals this season, tied for the most goals in the league. FC Dallas has allowed a conference-low 15 goals.
Austin FC sits above FC Dallas in 3rd place. Austin has scored 29 goals on the season, the second-most in the West.
F Sebastián Driussi leads the team with 8 goals, but it’s truly a team effort as 7 players have scored multiple goals. Austin’s plus-11 goal differential is the 2nd-best in the conference.
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Austin FC vs. FC Dallas odds, lines, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9:31 a.m.
- Money line: Austin FC +117 (bet $100 to win $117) | FC Dallas +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Draw +260
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -140 | U: +115)
[tipico]
Prediction
Austin FC 1, FC Dallas 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN TIE OR FC DALLAS -160.
The value on this line is why it’s only a lean. Given FC Dallas’ form as of late, this has become an attractive value. However, they’ve lost just 2 games outright, drawing 3 others.
FC Dallas has a 2-2-3 record on the road. Austin FC might be strong at home, but they’ve lost or drawn 4 of their last 6. They’re also 1-3-0 against top-6 teams in the Western Conference.
Dallas had a 9-game stretch earlier in the season without a loss and has one of the best defenses in the MLS. They’ve also had as many or more expected goals in all three of their recent losses.
Combine it all, and I think betting on Dallas just to not lose at this line has value. But, it’s not my favorite bet in the game.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (+115).
Both teams have dynamic offenses, but they also are among the best defenses in the league.
While Austin’s 29 goals in 15 games give the assumption they should be a scoring machine. They scored 10 in their first 2 games and have had 7 goals in their last 6.
Austin has averaged a goal per game (5 goals in 5 games) against West opponents that have allowed 17 or fewer goals.
FC Dallas ranks No. 1 in opponents’ goals in the conference. They have gone under this total in 7 of 15 games this season despite ranking fourth in goals in the West.
Given the defensive strengths and Austin’s inability to score against top defenses, the Under 2.5 (+115) at this plus-money value is worth a look.
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