Vancouver Whitecaps vs Portland Timbers Predictions

Vancouver Whitecaps’ inconsistent form sees them sitting second from bottom of the Western Conference heading into this weekends latest round of fixtures. Visitors Portland Timbers appear to have got over their poor start to the campaign, as they go in search of a fourth straight win on Saturday. Just one point and two places separate the two clubs heading into Saturday’s match, so we’re expecting a close and competitive ninety minutes between the pair.

Vancouver Whitecaps picked up three points away at the MLS’s slowest starters Colorado Rapids last weekend, in what turned out to be a five-goal thriller at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Montero opened the scoring for the visitors in the sixteenth minute and ten minutes later Venuto doubled Vancouver’s lead. Colorado Rapids pulled a goal back from the penalty spot before the break and equalised via a second spot kick early in the second half. The game appeared to be heading for a draw, until three minutes from time when Rose made himself the hero of the day for Vancouver Whitecaps by scoring the games fifth and final goal. Real Salt Lake will have been disappointed to lose at home to Portland Timbers last time out, but only have themselves to blame for doing so. The hosts should have opened the scoring in the twenty-sixth minute, but missed a penalty, and shortly after Blanco fired Portland in front. Johnson equalised for Real Salt Lake in the sixty-second minute, but just six minutes later Valeri restored the visitors lead with what turned out to be the winning goal for Portland Timbers.

The recent head to head record between these two clubs and the pair’s performances in the MLS over the last month, all point towards both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals being produced on Saturday, and a high probability of Portland Timers pinching all three points. The last eight meetings between these two clubs have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals. Portland Timbers have won three of the last five encounters between the pair, and each of those five meetings have ended 2-1. Both teams have scored in three of Vancouver Whitecap’s last five matches, and over 2.5 goals were produced in their last match away at Colorado Rapids, while both teams scored and over 2.5 goals were produced in five of Portland Timbers’ last six matches. Four of Portland Timbers’ last six matches have ended with a final score of 2-1, and we can see the visitors pinching another narrow win this weekend and have backed another 2-1 scoreline.

Henry and Montero joint top score for Vancouver Whitecaps with two goals each in this season MLS, while Ebobisse leads the way for Portland Timbers with four goals. We’re confident that both teams will score and over 2.5 goals will be produced on Saturday, and have predicted a final score of 2-1 to the visitors. These two sides have a very good recent history of producing goals when they clash, and while Portland have found their form, they still can’t keep clean sheets.