With both teams showcasing formidable defensive records and battling through early-season injuries, this match promises to be a tightly contested affair with potential implications for the standings.

Houston Dynamo, under the stewardship of Ben Olsen, has not only finished fourth in the regular season last year but also clinched the US Open Cup, signaling a team on the rise. Their home record speaks volumes, remaining unbeaten in their last seven matches at Shell Energy Stadium and holding a winning streak against the Red Bulls in their last three encounters.

However, this is the 4th game in 10 days for Houston, who lack depth and will struggle with fatigue. Furthermore, they’ll miss some key players: captain Hector Herrera, Franco Escobar, Sebastian Ferreira and starter during the whole 2023 campaign Nelson Quiñones. Also Dorsey is doubtful.

All of them are starters and important players in all zones: defense, midfield and attack. Sebastian Ferreira and Herrera are their two best players. Missing are putting pressure on their depth and tactical flexibility.

On the other hand, the Red Bulls, managed by Sandro Schwarz, have shown an impressive defensive solidity, not conceding in their last three regular-season matches and maintaining a strong performance away from home.

They looked good in the first round, as they totally outplayed Nashville conceding just 0.10 expected goals and generating 1.62, although missed many chances and the match finished 0:0.

NYRB played only MLS during these days, as opposed to Houston Dynamo who had two games of the CONCACAF Champions League (1/16 finals), where they used all the starters and played at 100% in both games as they had to win the second one to qualify.

So NYRB will be in much better form and with much less fatigue, also with more players available.

Both teams have similar quality and level, but hosts have to deal with the missings and won’t be able to show their best level here. For me guests are the favorite here so the double chance looks like the correct bet in my opinion.

两支球队都展示了令人敬畏的防守记录，并在赛季初的伤病中挣扎，这场比赛注定是一场激烈的竞争，可能会对排名产生影响。

在本·奥尔森的带领下，休斯敦迪纳摩队不仅在去年的常规赛中获得了第四名，而且还夺得了美国公开赛杯，标志着一支正在崛起的球队。他们的主场战绩说明了一切，在壳牌能源球场的最近七场比赛中保持不败，并且在最近三场对阵红牛的比赛中保持了连胜。

然而，这是火箭10天内的第四场比赛，他们缺乏深度，而且会很疲劳。此外，他们将失去一些关键球员:队长埃雷拉、埃斯科瓦尔、费雷拉和整个2023赛季的首发球员纳尔逊Quiñones。多尔西也表示怀疑。

他们都是首发球员，在所有区域都是重要的球员:防守，中场和进攻。费雷拉和埃雷拉是他们最好的两名球员。缺阵给他们的阵容深度和战术灵活性带来了压力。

另一方面，在桑德罗·施瓦茨的带领下，红牛表现出了令人印象深刻的防守稳定性，在最近的三场常规赛中没有失球，并且在客场保持了强劲的表现。

他们在第一轮看起来不错，因为他们完全击败了纳什维尔，只丢了0.10个预期进球，创造了1.62个进球，尽管错过了很多机会，比赛以0:0结束。

NYRB这几天只打了MLS，而休斯敦迪纳摩则打了两场CONCACAF冠军联赛(1/16决赛)，他们在两场比赛中都使用了所有的首发球员，并且在两场比赛中都发挥了100%，因为他们必须赢得第二场比赛才能出线。

所以NYRB会有更好的状态，更少的疲劳，也有更多的球员可用。

两支球队的实力和水平都差不多，但东道主必须处理缺阵的问题，因此无法在这里展现出他们的最佳水平。对我来说，客人是最受欢迎的，所以在我看来，双倍的机会看起来是正确的赌注。