MLS: Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy Preview, Odds, Head to Head, Prediction

Portland Timbers and the LA Galaxy open the MLS round 5 at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. The two units have been in the upper part of the Western Conference over the years, but it seems that this campaign could see them losing that status. Things haven’t started well for either of these two rivals. LA Galaxy is without a win following three games, while on the other side, the Timbers have three points in four events. All in all, terrible scenario for the moment. 

Preview

Portland Timbers (+120) won the starting game of the campaign and, after that, suffered three consecutive defeats. And that’s something nobody expected to see, with all due respect to the rookies in the MLS.

Giovanni Savarese’s boys had a tough schedule, playing two of those three events away from home against solid competitors, yet a failure at Providence Par against St. Louis City was a shocker. That one ended 1-2, exposing numerous flaws this team has and also the weak mindset of some of the players who underestimated the rivals. 

After this event, we saw Portland getting hammered in Atlanta against United, who rolled over Timbers, packing five and allowing just one goal. Savarese’s crew was helpless here, not being able to withstand any of the pressure United applied to their midfield. 

LA Galaxy (+180) played three matches, posting two ties and one loss. They have a game in hand, which would be El Trafico, the one planned to open the season, but delayed due to poor weather conditions. 

Their first meeting was on the road, against FC Dallas in Texas, with the hosts winning this 3-1. After that, Galaxy posted back-to-back ties in Kansas City against Sporting, 0-0, and at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps, 1-1. 

Head coach Gregg Vanney had a massive handicap when putting up the team, because two if his best players were out of the picture, Douglas Costa and Chicarito. They are key pieces of the unit and among the best forwards in the MLS.

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Heber Arajuo and Jackson Ragen are both doubtful for the home unit. 

Both Costa and Chicarito should miss this event as well. Sega Coulibaly, Chase Gasper, and Jonathan Bond are all questionable for various reasons. 

Head to Head Games

We’ve seen the Timbers and the Galaxy meeting in February during the preseason, with the team from Portland blowing away the opponents 1-4. In the 2022 campaign, Galaxy had more success, triumphing in Portland in April 2022, 1-3 and after that keeping one point at home, 1-1. 

Only one of the past nine direct encounters has ended with under 2.5 goals, and the same goes for matches with just one team netting. 

Prediction

Both teams struggle at the moment. Portland is weak overall in all the lines, while on the other hand, the guests struggle to deliver in the attack and can’t dictate the tempo without their top two contributors upfront. Our pick for this event would be moderate efficiency, that is, two or three goals, with the bookmakers offering +100 for this choice. As for the full-time result, we wouldn’t go there, as this event could go either way. 

Pick: 2 or 3 goals +100