PORTLAND TIMBERS are aiming to build on their recent good form as they host Houston Dynamo in an MLS Western Conference fixture Portland have impressed lately and should have too much for Houston, who have been unconvincing, particularly on their travels.
Ninth placed Portland Timbers have been in good form in recent weeks as they look to climb the table and close the gap on the frontrunners in the West. They have won three of their last four matches and triumphed 2-0 at Austin FC last time out with Evander and Jonathan Rodriguez getting the goals.
Portland Timbers have also shown some quality at home in recent weeks, winning their last two matches at Providence Park. However, Phil Neville’s men tend to struggle defensively and have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 13 home matches.
Houston Dynamo are also coming off a victory as they picked up a 3-2 win over Colorado Rapids last time out. However, that was their first win in four matches having looked a bit off colour lately.
Sitting eighth on the standings, Houston Dynamo will be keen to build on that result and crank up the pressure on some of the teams above them. However Ben Olsen’s men travel to Portland with three defeats in their last four away matches.
How the bookies view it: Portland to win
Portland Timbers have the upper hand among the bookies with a home win priced at 5/4 by bet365. A victory for Houston Dynamo is valued at 19/10 while a draw is set at odds of 12/5.
Head to head: Houston with recent edge
Portland Timbers have a 10-9 advantage with nine draws from 28 previous matches against Houston Dynamo. However, Houston have won the last three meetings and triumphed 1-0 in the most recent fixture back in March.
Players to watch: No answers for Evander
Evander is the leading scorer for Portland Timbers with seven goals and could be the one to watch on Sunday. The attacker is priced at 13/5 by bet365 to get on the score sheet.
Portland can also hold their own going forward and will look to Ibrahim Aliyu to provide the spark in attack. The forward has 4 MLS goals and is priced at 11/4 by bet365 to find the net on Sunday.
Probable line-ups
Portland Timbers joint top scorer Felipe Mora could be handed a start on Sunday after coming off the bench last time out. Cristhian Paredes could also be given a nod in midfield.
Latif Blessing is pushing to feature from the start for Houston Dynamo after scoring off the bench last time out against Colorado Rapids. Daniel Steres could also replace Franco Escobar in defence.
Portland Timbers: Pantemis, Mosquera, Araujo, Zuparic, Miller, Paredes, Ayala, Mora, Evander, Antony, Rodriguez
Houston Dyanamo: Tarbell, Steres, Miceal, Sviatchenko, Dorsey, Herrera, Artur, Aliyu, Bassi, Blessing, Kowalczyk
Anything else catch the eye?
The last meeting at Providence Park produced over 3.5 goals and a repeat is priced at 7/4 by bet365. Over 2.5 goals could also be considered at 4/5 while both teams could be backed to score at 4/6.
Portland Timbers scored in both halves in their previous fixture and could be set for a similar pattern at 12/5 by bet365.
This MLS match between Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo will be played on and kick off at 03:30. Check below for our tipsters best Portland Timbers vs Houston Dynamo prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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