The second MLS CaliClassico of the season takes place on Sunday night, or the early hours of Monday morning for those of us in the UK, as the Portland Timbers host the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference.
The two sides have met twice in Seattle this season with the Sounders winning in the MLS and the US Open Cup so the Timbers will be out for their revenge in this Cascadia Cup clash here at Providence Park.
Portland Timbers
After such a good start to the campaign things have hit the buffers for the Portland Timbers in recent times. They have won just two of their last nine matches although six of those were on the road and both wins were at home so this match might just be coming around at the right time for them.
One of the reasons for the struggles of the Timbers is their defence which even at full strength, which it won’t be in this match, has been leaky. They have shipped 26 goals this season and only three sides in the entire MLS have conceded more so they need to improve in that area of the park.
Seattle Sounders
Seattle have really struggled for consistency in their season as the defending champions and they haven’t been able to put 3-4 weeks of solid performances together which will have disappointed everyone concerned with the club. Their woes are particularly apparent away from home where they have lost their last four.
Seattle have really struggled for goals. They have just 20 from their 17 matches which sees them as one of the lower scorers in the competition. They have scored just six goals in their last nine games so it is clear to see where they need to address in the second half of the season if they are to defend their title.
Team News
Portland will be without their captain as Liam Ridgewell is out injured. Roy Miller and Sebastian Blanco are both suspended so the Timbers are struggling for men at the heart of their defence.
Seattle Sounders have no fresh injury issues but could bring Joevin Jones and Brad Evans who were both rested for the midweek match against Orlando City.
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Betting
Both these sides were in action in midweek so both might be pleased that the match was put back a few hours because of the weather forecast. Portland are generally good at home with Seattle pretty ordinary away and this fixture has a history of the home side winning it. The last seven MLS matches between these two have been won by the home side.
If Portland had anything close to resembling a strong defence in action in this match then I would probably back that to continue but they don’t so although Seattle lack for goals recently I can see them bagging something in terms of goals here. Portland will go hunting for goals so I like the weekend to finish with over 2.5 goals.
Tips
WON – Back Over 2.5 goals for a 4/10 stake at 1.76 with Unibet
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