Los Angeles FC vs Portland Timbers Prediction & Betting Tips - Major League Soccer

Prediction published on 28/02/2023, 18:00  by Sridhar | Modified on 01/03/2023 at 17:05 in Major League Soccer Predictions

After a damp return in the El Tráfico or Los Angeles Derby where poor weather postponed the match, the reigning MLS champion Los Angeles FC will play Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium on Saturday. LAFC are yet to start their season after their opening match against Los Angeles Galaxy has been postponed, while Portland started with a narrow 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City. LAFC have had a mixed big in the preparation friendlies but have wrapped things up with consecutive wins. They are usually good starters in the MLS having won their last five season openers. Even last year, they remained unbeaten against Portland in three matches, drawing 1-1 here before winning 2-0 in the US Open Cup and 2-1 in Portland. There remain question marks over the striking power especially after Gareth Bale’s retirement and the transfer of Cristian Arango.

Portland were one of the five teams in the Western Conference to start their MLS season with a win. It was a narrow 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City that saw them pick full points but not before an exciting match. It was a game of plenty chances but nothing worked for either side except the sixth minute goal by Juan Mosquera. Portland would have been happy about the clean sheet after conceding 53 goals in 34 matches last season. They will be without Felipe Mora for this match because of his knee injury that rules him out at least until the end of April.