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

Prediction published on 08/09/2023, 17:40  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 08/09/2023 at 19:01 in Major League Soccer Predictions

The Portland Timbers will play host to Los Angeles FC in the MLS this Sunday. The hosts are currently in 12th place in the Western Conference, while the visitors are third. Portland are running out of time to pull themselves into playoff contention. They are currently on 30 points after 27 matches and four points behind FC Dallas in the final playoff spot. The hosts played out a 2-2 draw against the Seattle Sounders last weekend, which takes their league form to two wins, two draws, and two losses in their last six. At home, though, the Timbers have been much better, losing only once in their last five matches at Providence Park. They have secured a total of 21 points from a possible 39 at home this season. The Timbers have failed to beat this opponent in their last three meetings and are the marginal underdogs in this match. 

Meanwhile, last season’s league winners are dropping points at the worst possible moment. They lost their last two matches, 2-1 against Charlotte and 3-1 to Inter Miami and have seen the gap to the current league leaders increase to seven points. While they do have a game in hand over St. Louis at the top of the standings, they cannot afford another slip-up to the end of the season. Over their last six matches, LAFC have won two, drawn two and lost two. The visitors will also be looking to bring an end to a four-match winless run on the road, which includes three losses and a draw. However, on the positive side, LAFC have a very good record against this opponent, unbeaten in their last three. Still, they cannot take that record for granted and will need to be at their best here against a Portland side that are also in desperate need of the points.