Betfair Live Video: Expect Toronto to cause Houston a few more problems

Can Defoe prove the difference once again?

It's a double from MLS this weekend, as Lewis Watson previews two of the best games being streamed live on Betfair Live Video...

Toronto vs Houston Dynamo
Sunday 00:00

After suffering at the hands of Conference leaders DC United last weekend, Toronto will be looking to get back on the horse with a convincing performance against a struggling Dynamo. Still sitting with enough games in hand to claim top spot, Ryan Nelson's Reds will come into this weekend with their sights set on leapfrogging New England, putting pressure on the leading two.

Albeit under-par against DC, Nelson was left reeling at the treatment some of his offensive players got throughout the game. Despite admitting his side were tactically 'confused', the Toronto boss made it clear that players including Jermain Defoe were on the wrong end of some questionable tackles, this coupled with the 89th minute red card to Hagglund made this defeat particularly hard for the Kiwi to swallow. 

Playing catch up with the rest of the league is never going to be easy on the Toronto legs, but captain Steven Caldwell has expressed his side's determination to keeping plugging away to get results despite their packed schedule. Rotation could prove crucial in the coming weeks, and with youngster Doneil Henry coming in to replace the suspended Hagglund this weekend, it could prove the difference in building back their defensive confidence.

With Gilberto Silva still suffering from a hip flexor injury it is unknown whether or not he will grace the playing surface at the BMO this Saturday, but with plenty of adequate replacements Defoe and Moore should get the service they crave going forward. 

With one MLS victory in eight outings, Houston without doubt... have a problem. Despite not being in a great amount of danger in their league standings, Dynamo will need a real change in fortunes if they are going to find themselves in this year's playoffs. 

Void of a 'marquee' player as such, the 'Orange Crush' have had to rely on their stability as a unit to get them through the beginning of this campaign. Finishing fourth in last year's Eastern Conference, Dominic Kinnear would have liked to have kicked on slightly more than they have - with defensive frailties the underlining reason for their early problems.

With teams on different amount of games within the league, it's hard to grasp a true understanding of the standings, but with Dynamo sitting second from bottom after playing two more than the sides below them you can understand why there is a growing feeling of discontent around the BBVA.

The visitors have failed to pick up three points on their travels this season, and with 34 being shipped in at the other end expect this one to go only one way. Toronto may make life tricky for themselves as usual, but should come out as worthy winners. 

Recommended Bets:
Back Toronto FC to win @ 1.774/5
Back 2-0 Toronto FC @ 9.08/1

New York Red Bulls vs Columbus Crew
Sunday 00:00

With both sides on the same points, games won, drawn, lost and goal difference... shall we just quit the rambling and back the draw? If football was played on paper then I guess so, but with both sides looking to push deeper into the playoff positions, this one has a real sense of excitement surrounding it. 

After coming away from Houston with a 2-2 draw, the Red Bulls come into a compact fixture week looking to force some breathing space between them and Colombus Crew, and with the league's hottest striker, you would be brave to bet against them.

Leading the goalscoring charts with fourteen goals, Bradley Wright-Phillips has set the league alight in 2014. With Henry surely acting as inspiration, BWP has made himself the star man of the Red Bulls attack, and is nearly averaging a goal a game. 

With himself, Henry and Cahill (albeit only making nine appearances) acting as the spine of the team, it is surprising to say the least that they have only mustered four wins from seventeen. This said, the nature of the MLS schedule allows for strange looking tables, with the Western Conference fairing better in cross Conference matches. 

However, sitting in fifth, just eight points off the top spot, Mike Petke will hope that Team USA's performance at the World Cup will inspire his Red Bulls to a strong end to the regular season.

After last year's triumph claiming the Supporters Shield, all eyes will be on claiming the side's first ever MLS cup, and after losing in the 2008 final to Colombus Crew, many feel that 2014 could finally be the year to get that persistent monkey off their back.  

After a disappointing campaign last season, the visitors are looking to bounce back after three years without any notable success. Since winning the MLS cup in 2008, The Crew have seen a gradual decline down the standings as they have failed to keep up with the influx of marquee players coming into MLS.

This being said, without Argentine striker Federico Higuain on their books, things could be looking even less rosy for Gregg Berhalter's boys. With six goals this campaign the 29-year-old has kept their heads above water in a season where so far they are averaging at just over a goal a game. 

Without a win since May 24th, Colombus are also short of confidence. With a busy schedule also within the next week, a win for either side in the Big Apple could spell disaster for the losers...  

Recommended Bets:
Back New York Red Bulls to win @ 1.9420/21
Back New York Red Bulls to win 1-0 @ 8.27/1