Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Portland Timbers MLS odds and score prediction
Matchday Six of the MLS season has arrived, and Saturday’s 15-game slate is loaded with major matches. However, I’ve found a game between two squads on opposite sides of the Western Conference standings. The Vancouver Whitecaps are second in the West and hold a 4-0-1 record with 14 total goals (first in the MLS), while the Portland Timbers are tied with St. Louis and Sporting KC for the fewest points in the West (four) and sit in 14th due to goal differential.
Although these squads are heading in opposite directions to start the season, there is plenty to play for tomorrow night.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Portland Timbers MLS Odds and Betting Trends
Vancouver is the -310 favourite on the three-way money line, while Portland is a +600 underdog and the draw carries a +450 price. The over/under is 3.5, with the over at -105 odds and the under at -120. Although the Whitecaps have won four of their five MLS contests, they are 3-2 against the spread and 2-2 ATS at home. Additionally, the over is 2-3 and has only cashed in one of Vancouver’s four home contests. Portland is 2-2-1 ATS and 3-2 to the over; they’ve failed to cover either of their two road contests, losing 3-2 to Houston and 2-0 to Colorado.
Vancouver is 6-2-2 in the last 10 meetings against Portland, and they already beat the Timbers 4-1 when they faced off in Portland on March 7. That victory marked the second consecutive road win for the Whitecaps against the Timbers, and they’ve gone unbeaten in five straight home games against Portland. Everything points to a Vancouver victory, but I think Portland can make this game interesting.
Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver is coming off a great season in which they just came up short in the MLS Cup Final, and they’ve started this year just as hot. However, they’ve recently hit a slump, which seemingly was caused by their play in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. After a few friendlies during the preseason, Vancouver rattled off four wins and a tie in all competitions to start the season. However, they suffered a 3-0 home defeat against the Seattle Sounders in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Although they bounced back in MLS play with a 6-0 win after that defeat, they dropped another game to the Sounders (2-1) and just fell for the first time in the MLS last weekend against the San Jose Earthquakes (1-0).
Vancouver has now allowed a goal in four of their previous five games, showing their defensive vulnerability. However, their attack has shown they can keep them in any game, as they’ve put up 2.8 goals per game in the MLS thus far. I have my eyes on Ben White to score (-120), as the forward has six goals and scored twice against the Timbers earlier this season. I expect Vancouver to score early, but I don’t have too much confidence in them keeping Portland at bay.
Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers just made the playoffs last season with an eighth-place finish in the West, but they haven’t started this season out on the same foot. Portland is winless in its last four MLS contests, and they haven’t picked up three points since the season opener against the Columbus Crew (3-2). The biggest issue for the Timbers has been their backline; they’ve allowed 12 goals, and only Montreal (14) and Orlando City (17) have given up more.
Portland’s one bright spot, given their situation, is how closely they’ve been losing games. Outside of the 4-1 defeat to Vancouver, their other results have been a 1-1 draw to the LA Galaxy, a 3-2 defeat against the Dynamo and a 2-0 loss to the Rapids. They’ve scored in four of their five matches this season and have found the back of the net against Vancouver in eight of their last 10 meetings with their Canadian neighbors.
MLS Prediction: Who Will Win Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Portland Timbers?
Everything in this game points to a Vancouver victory. They’ve dropped back-to-back games against Seattle and San Jose, but both of those squads are a step above Portland. However, I don’t see them keeping a clean sheet, so my main pick is on Vancouver ML and Both Teams to Score (+125).
Best Bet: Vancouver ML and Both Teams to Score (+125)
Score Prediction: Vancouver 3 | Portland 1