Portland Timbers vs Real Salt Lake Prediction: Both sides are looking desperate

Portland Timbers are in terrible form and they have been since their defeat in the Leagues Cup against Monterrey FC. Since then they have lost back-to-back games in the MLS and they come into this game desperately searching for a win against Real Salt Lake.

Real Salt Lake are also having a similar problem as the host and they come into this game after a defeat in their last MLS game against Houston Dynamo at home. A win here is crucial for both sides who will be trying to improve their positions on the MLS table.

Portland Timbers

Portland Timbers’ two games since their exit from the Leagues Cup ended in a defeat. And the most recent match was against Vancouver Whitecaps and they lost 3-2 at full time. The Timbers started the game poorly and as a result they conceded 2 goals in the first half. Ryan Gauld scored Vancouver’s first goal in the 13th minute and in the 36th minute Brian White doubled their lead. Portland Timbers fought their way back with a goal in the 53rd minute by Felipe Mora, but they conceded another goal once again and it was Ryan Gauld who scored from the spot in the 60th minute. Finally Portland Timbers grabbed one more goal in the 85th minute by Evander and the game ended in a defeat at full time.

The defeat in their last game meant they have lost their last 2 games in the MLS. In their last 5 MLS games they had 1 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats. They won the game against Columbus Crew, then played a draw against Colorado Rapids, but lost games against Minnesota United, Houston Dynamo and then Vancouver Whitecaps. At home, they won 2, drew 1 and lost 2 of their last 5 MLS home games. Their last home game was the 3-2 defeat against Vancouver Whitecaps.

Portland Timbers are 12th in the Western Conference and 24th in the MLS, having 26 points from 25 matches played this season.

Streaks: losses (4), without a clean sheet (4), less than 10.5 corners (4/5).

Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake are no different from the home team as they are also struggling to win lately. They have played just one game since their exit from the Leagues Cup and they lost that game against Houston Dynamo by 3 goals to nil. They fell behind by 2 goals in the first half courtesy of goals from Corey Baird in the 9th minute and Daniel Steres in the 29th minute. There was not much difference for Real Salt Lake in the second half, as they made no serious attempts to get back into the game and then in the 75th minute Adalberto Carrasquilla scored Houston’s 3rd goal. According to statistics, Real Salt Lake had 54% possession, 1 shot on target and 5 corner kicks.

This is their first defeat since their 9-match unbeaten streak in the league. In their last 5 MLS games, they had 3 wins, 1 draws and 1 defeat. They won against Toronto FC, New York Red Bulls and Orlando City SC, then drew against Minnesota United before falling to defeat to Houston Dynamo in their last game. Their away form has been very good as they are unbeaten in their last 8 away matches this season. They have lost only one game this season and that was the 2-1 defeat to FC Dallas back in April.

Real Salt Lake are 4th in the western conference and 11th in the MLS, with 37 points from 25 matches played this season.

Streaks: losses (3), without a clean sheet (5), more than 2.5 goals (7/8), first to concede (5/5), first half loser (4/5), less than 4.5 cards (4/5), less than 10.5 corners (8/8).

Head to Head

Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake have played 20 matches against each other in the past. Portland Timbers won 10 matches, while Real Salt Lake won 6 matches and 4 matches ended in a draw.

Streaks

• Real Salt Lake have not lost in the last 4 matches.
• There were less than 4.5 cards in 7/8 matches.
• There were less than 10.5 corners in 7/7 matches.

Expert Betting Tips

According to Analysis San Jose Earthquakes have scored 28 goals and conceded 41 goals in 25 MLS games. They scored 1.1 goals per game and they have a conversion rate of 10%. They played a total of 11.4 shots per game and an average of 4.0 shots were on target per game. They also played an average of 3.8 corners per game and retained 44.9% possession. They conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game and they have kept 7 clean sheets.

According to Analysis Real Salt Lake have scored 35 goals and conceded 37 goals in 25 MLS games. They scored 1.4 goals per game and they have a conversion rate of 9%. They played a total of 14.8 shots per game and an average of 5.6 shots were on target per game. They also played an average of 5.2 corners per game and retained 49.4% possession. They conceded an average of 1.5 goals per game and they have kept 6 clean sheets.

• Under 10.5 Corners at 1.60 Odds
• More than 2.5 Goals at 1.61 Odds
• More than 2.5 Goals at 1.60 Odds