Portland Timbers vs Philadelphia Union Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Western Conference side Portland Timbers hope to extend their unbeaten run and move into second place with victory over eastern Conference play-off hopefuls Philadelphia Union on Sunday. Both teams have shown they have the potential to qualify for the play-offs this season, especially Portland Timbers who have two or three games in hand over the teams ahead of them in the table and could claim second place as their own if they take advantage when the time comes. Philadelphia sit outside the play-off places as things stand, but a win could see the visitors move into the top five and would certainly give them a boost in confidence.

Portland Timbers incredibly unbeaten run in the MLS stretches back over the last fourteen matches, which explains why they have progress through the Western Conference table and are now taken seriously following a slow start to the campaign. Victory this weekend could take Portland above both Los Angeles clubs and to within five points of table toppers Dallas, but they would be relying on both Galaxy and LA FC to drop points for that to happen.

Portland Timbers have based their great run of form on strong defensive displays, as they have thirty league goals this season which is a lower total five of the clubs who sit below them in the Western Conference. Armenteros and Váleri top score with seven goals in the MLS this season, but teammate Blanco has six goals and the team don’t rely on one out and out goalscorer.

Sunday’s hosts really enjoy playing against Philadelphia Union and have only lost against their guests once in their eight previous encounters. Portland have form on their side, but Philadelphia have proved in recent weeks that they cannot be underestimated and their hit and miss form makes them a tough team to predict.

Philadelphia Union have been an all or nothing side in the MLS this season, earning eight win, suffering ten defeats, and only drawing three times. Philadelphia don’t historically enjoy playing against Portland Timbers and have lost their last two games against Sunday’s hosts.

Like Portland, Philadelphia don’t have a natural goalscorer in their ranks and have had to rely on midfielders chipping in with goals as well as their strikers. Unfortunately for the U’s they don’t have the same defensive record as Portland Timbers which means their goal difference is currently -5, and many expect that to worsen this weekend.

Philadelphia weren’t many peoples picks for the play-offs this season, but if it hadn’t been for a poor month of results in April then they would certainly be sitting comfortably in the top six right now. However that is not the case and all Philadelphia can do is attempt to get back to basics as Portland Timbers did following their slow start to the season, and concentrate on keeping things tight at the back.

We’re confident that despite the hosts form that this game will end in a draw. Three of Portland and Philadelphia’s eight previous meetings have ended in a draw, and Portland have drawn two of their last six matches. Portland’s unbeaten run has produced plenty of draws and the hosts are now on seven MLS draws for the season. In terms of a final score, we’re backing this game to end goalless and for both teams to defend manfully during the ninety minutes.