Houston Dynamo 2 vs Ventura CountyPrediction, probable lineups, recent form & season stats

Houston Dynamo 2 come into this MLS Next Pro fixture with five wins in six and top spot in their conference: 2.4 goals scored and 0.7 conceded at home, with 97% of those games going past 1.5. Ventura County sit fourth overall but travel far less convincingly, 1.4 scored and 1.8 conceded, one win in their last six on the road. Together the two average over three goals a game. The verdict: two goals are needed. Houston have cleared two in every home game but one, and Ventura County concede close to two per trip while still scoring in 79% of them. Only one of the six meetings on record stayed under two goals. I read it around 85%. My take: Houston set the tempo and open early, Ventura County do not have the defence to hold out for ninety minutes.