Colorado Rapids vs Portland Timbers predictions for Saturday’s match in the MLS. Colorado are the only team in MLS still winless at home. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Match Live Wednesday, 5th July at 02:30 am In:
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Colorado Rapids vs Portland Timbers Predictions
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A Rocky Mountain Standoff: An Analysis of Struggling Giants
Key Stats
– Portland Timbers have managed just two goals in their last five away games.
– Colorado are yet to secure a win at home this season.
As the American soccer season heats up, we turn our focus to the struggling giants at the base of the Western Conference in Major League Soccer (MLS). On Tuesday, DSG Park prepares to host a pulsating encounter between Colorado Rapids and the visiting Portland Timbers.
A Rocky Start to the Season
For both teams, the current campaign has not been as expected. Colorado Rapids, the hosts, have only managed to scrape together a meagre 14 points from 20 games, placing them rock-bottom in the table. Their 2023 season seems to be a far cry from last year when they managed to finish 10th in the conference. A series of disappointing results — two victories, eight stalemates, and ten defeats — have painted a grim picture for the Rapids this year.
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On the other hand, the Portland Timbers have been able to eke out 22 points from 21 matches, positioning them in the 12th spot. Even though they were contenders for the playoffs last season, their hopes for repeating that feat in 2023 look increasingly bleak.
An Uphill Battle
The recent form of both teams paints a rather dismal picture. Robin Fraser’s Rapids have seen their morale plummet following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the division leaders, St Louis City. The defeat has extended their winless streak in all competitions to an alarming 10 matches. Their last taste of victory, a 3-1 triumph over LA Galaxy, feels like a distant memory, making their upcoming fixture all the more critical.
While the Rapids have been struggling, Portland have not been performing much better. The team, led by Giovanni Savarese, has been winless for their last four matches. Their recent 4-1 loss to Minnesota United has added insult to injury. Their difficulties in garnering positive results on the road, coupled with just one victory from their 11 away games this season, further complicates matters for the Timbers.
Injury Woes and Key Players
A significant factor for both teams has been a mounting injury list. Colorado will be missing key players including Max Alves, Diego Rubio, Alex Gersbach, and Jack Price, while the Timbers will be without Hunter Sulte, Sebastian Blanco, Dairon Asprilla, David Ayala, and Eryk Williamson. However, the return of midfielder Evander from suspension provides a slight glimmer of hope for the visitors.
In terms of potential impact players, Jonathan Lewis, the leading scorer for the Rapids with four goals this season, is anticipated to feature prominently in the attack. For the Timbers, joint-leading scorers Evander and Franck Boli, with five goals each, will be pivotal in their offensive efforts.
Analysing the Past, Predicting the Future
An examination of the two teams’ past encounters reveals a tightly contested history, with Portland edging ahead with 12 victories to Colorado’s 10, punctuated by six draws. However, current form and recent performances suggest that a straightforward victory for either side is unlikely.
Considering Colorado’s lacklustre home record — they are yet to secure a win at home — and Portland’s struggles on the road, one might expect a low-scoring affair. Colorado’s four-game goal drought and Portland’s underwhelming goal tally from their past five away matches further support this notion.
Despite these stats, our prediction focuses on an alternative indicator – the corners. Considering Colorado’s 4.3 corners per game and Portland’s 3.7, combined with their poor form and a desperation for points, it’s highly plausible that both teams will press hard and create opportunities, leading to a prediction of over 9.5 corners.
When it comes to the correct score market, our analysis suggests that Portland may eke out a narrow 1-0 victory. This is based on Colorado’s poor scoring record and Portland’s slightly better form, along with their historical head-to-head advantage.
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