Inter Miami vs. Portland Timbers MLS Preview and Prediction
Although Wednesday featured a 14-game slate, this weekend brings even more MLS action, finishing with a Sunday doubleheader. The first of those two matches pits Inter Miami against the Portland Timbers, and while the hosts sit in second place in the Eastern Conference, Portland are 12th in the West. The Timbers have just 14 points through 12 games compared to Inter Miami’s 25 through 13 matches, so there is a clear favourite in Sunday’s contest.
However, there are still betting angles to take for this contest, so let’s dive into my Inter Miami vs. Portland Timbers predictions.
Inter Miami vs. Portland Timbers MLS Odds and Betting Trends
To no one’s surprise, Inter Miami are -330 favourites on the three-way moneyline, while the Timbers are +600 underdogs and the draw carries a massive +475 price on the MLS odds. The game total is 3.5, but the over is juiced to -150, and the under sits at +115. Inter Miami’s last three games have featured 21 goals, so it’s not surprising to see the total sitting at such a high number.
You could’ve bet on Lionel Messi to score at a reasonable price when they faced FC Cincinnati in their last match, but his odds to score in this one are -245. German Berterame (+125) and Mateo Silvetti (+185) found the back of the net against Cincinnati as well, so there are definitely other betting options for Inter Miami in the goalscoring department. These teams have only played twice, with each squad picking up a win at home. The last time they met was in 2022, when Inter Miami picked up a 2-1 victory.
Inter Miami
I discussed this in my FC Cincinnati preview, but Lionel Messi showed once again why he is the best player in the MLS. The Argentinian star had two goals and an assist in the win, and he now has 11 goals and four assists through 12 MLS games this season. He’s on an absolute tear right now, too, as Messi has four goals and four assists in Miami’s last three matches. This game marks the first time he will face Portland in his career, so we are in for quite a treat when the 38-year-old takes the pitch on Sunday.
I already mentioned this above, but this Miami squad has weapons outside of Messi. Berterame, Silvetti and Luis Suarez all have 3+ goals this season, and they’ve scored two or more goals in eight of their last nine contests. Now, they’ll face a Timbers defence that has allowed two or more goals in six of their seven away matches. I expect both trends will continue on Sunday.
Portland Timbers
The Timbers made the postseason last year, but they’ll need to turn things around quickly if they want to make another run this season. Portland have just one win away from home, which came against 10th-place San Diego FC – so they truly don’t have a single impressive road result. Even their lone road draw was versus 11th-place CF Montreal, and I can’t see them suddenly turning things around against a Miami team that has title aspirations.
The biggest issue for Portland this season has been their back line. Only 13th-place FC Austin and last-place Sporting Kansas City have allowed more goals in the Western Conference, which isn’t a good sign for the Timbers. As bad as their defence has been, their attack is still producing. Kevin Kelsy is the main threat with five goals and two assists through 12 games, as the Timbers have scored in nine of their 12 contests. They could easily make that 10 games going up against a Miami defence that’s allowed a goal in eight of their 10 victories.
MLS Prediction: Who Will Win Inter Miami vs. Portland Timbers?
Inter Miami should take three points in this one, but I still think Portland can find the back of the net. Not only have the hosts allowed a goal in eight of their 10 wins, but they’ve allowed a goal in nine of their last 10 games overall. Additionally, the visiting team has scored in every single Inter Miami home game this season. I’ll take Inter Miami to win with both teams scoring at plus-money.
Best Bet: Inter Miami ML and Both Teams to Score (+105)
Score Prediction: Inter Miami 3 | Portland Timbers 2