Portland Timbers vs Nashville SC Predictions

• Portland Timbers opened their 2020 season with a 3-1 loss at home to Minnesota United.
• Nashville lost their first MLS game, being defeated 2-1 at home by Atlanta United.
• Portland Timbers managed 14 attempts last weekend but only three of those were on target.
• Nashville also had 14 shots last weekend but managed to get four of those on target.

A poor start for Portland needs to be put right

Portland Timbers didn’t enjoy the opening weekend of the 2020 season as they picked up a disappointing home loss to Minnesota United. The Timbers didn’t perform well and there will need to be an immediate response with the side expected to be one of those contesting the playoff places this season. They need to be more clinical in front of goal with just three of their 14 efforts last weekend being on target.

The Portland line up last weekend had a familiar look in defence but the arrival of Yimmi Chara and Felipe Aliaga saw their attack take on a different look. It does seem that the side needs a few more games together before they truly hit their stride but the consistency of Diego Valeri and Seba Blanco could be the key to Portland’s success this season.

Things are encouraging for Nashville

Whilst Nashville SC’s MLS debut didn’t go totally according to plan, there were plenty of encouraging signs for the side. They were able to create 14 chances throughout the match, getting four of those on target and scoring once but they were also able to restrict Atlanta United, a real attacking force, to just six chances in the 90 minutes.

Head coach, Gary Smith, set his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation that saw Hany Mukhtar handed a free role ahead of Dax McCarty and Anibal Godoy. This gave the side a really good defensive base, especially with Walker Zimmerman leading the back four with another good performance alongside Dave Romney.

Will either side find their first win?

Portland should be favourites for this game and the odds reflect this but their performance last weekend indicates that they might not have everything their own way this weekend. We were impressed with Nashville last weekend and the 1.25 asian handicap line seems very generous so we’re backing Nashville to come away from this game with something by backing them on the asian handicap.

A one goal loss for Nashville would still give us a half win but we think the visitors have enough about them to take something from this game. They looked capable of finding the net last weekend and their defensive set up looks really strong. Portland could struggle again and we’re backing this game to finish in a stalemate at 1-1.