Toronto FC vs Portland Timbers Predictions

Toronto have been very impressive so far this season, and despite playing fewer games than all bar one of the Eastern Conference sides they sit third in the table. The Canadians returned to winning ways last weekend after drawing and losing their previous two MLS games, but will be expecting a tough ninety minutes on Saturday when they take on a Portland Timbers side that ended their winless start to the campaign last time out.

Toronto recovered from going a goal down at home to Minnesota United to lead 2-1 at the break thanks to a brace from Pozuelo in the space of two first half minutes. Minnesota United equalised shortly before the hour mark and then went in front via a seventieth minute penalty, but this time Hamilton came to the host’s rescue by scoring two goals in two minutes and winning the game 4-3 for Toronto. Mabiala and Ebobisse both scored first half goals that saw Portland Timbers leading 2-0 at the halfway point in Ohio and despite Columbus Crew pulling a goal back in the sixty-ninth minute, the visitors secured all three points in stoppage time when Moreira made it 3-1.

The performances of both teams at the start of the new MLS season and their head to head record, all points towards both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals being scored on Saturday, and a decent chance of the game ending in a draw. Four of the last seven encounters between these two clubs have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals, and Toronto have won three and Portland Timbers have won three of the last six meetings between the pair. Five of Toronto’s and four of Portland Timbers’ last six matches have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals. Portland Timbers finally won their first game of the season last weekend, away at Columbus Crew, while Toronto have picked up one win, one draw, and one defeat from their last three matches, after winning their opening three games of the season. The hosts are still the bookmakers big favourites to win the game, but we believe Portland Timbers and in with a decent chance of claiming a point.

Altidore top scores for Toronto this season with five goals, but could miss this weekends game through injury. Ebobisse moved onto three goals for the season when he netted for Portland Timbers against Columbus Crew, and will be the man to watch up front for the visitors this weekend. We’re confident that both teams will score and over 2.5 goals will be produced in Saturday’s game, and have predicted a final scoreline of 2-2. The recent history between these two clubs is very even and after winning last time out against Columbus Crew we’re expecting a different Portland Timbers to show up on Saturday compared to the one that lost the majority of its opening games to the season.