Columbus Crew vs Portland Timbers Predictions

Columbus Crew sit second in the Eastern Conference table, just one point behind the leaders DC United, after an excellent start to the new season. This weekend’s visitors Portland Timbers have had the worst start to the campaign out of all twenty-four teams, having picked up just one point from their first six matches.

A solitary second half strike from Novillo proved enough for Montreal Impact to claim all three points at home to Columbus Crew last weekend, despite the visitors having more corners, more shots, and 54% of the overall possession. Portland Timbers suffered a fifth straight defeat in the MLS last time out, when they went down 2-1 away at Dallas. The hosts lead at the break 1-0 and doubled their advantage on the hour mark via a penalty, and even though Parades pulled a goal back for Portland Timbers in the sixty-seventh minute the visitors could not carve out an equaliser.

While Portland Timbers have a good head to head record against Columbus Crew, especially over the last few seasons, the form and performances of the two clubs in 2019 all points towards and home win and a clean sheet for Columbus Crew this weekend. Columbus Crew have won four of their last six matches, while Portland Timbers have lost their last five matches on the run. The hosts have kept four clean sheets in their last six matches, but their guests have failed to score in two of their last four matches. Portland Timbers are without a clean sheet in the MLS this season, while Columbus Crew have scored in all of their home games this season and have only conceded one goal in their own backyard.

Zardes has three goals in the MLS this season and top scores for Columbus Crew, while Ebobisse has netted twice for the visitors and is the only Portland Timber’s player to have scored more than once in the league this season. We’re confident that Columbus Crew will win to nil on Saturday, and have predicted a final scoreline of 1-0. The hosts have an excellent record at home this season, conceding just one goal and winning three of their four matches at the MAPFRE Stadium, while Portland Timbers have lost their last five games, all of which have come away from home.