MLS Odds: Galaxy vs. Timbers Prediction & Picks
MLS Odds: Galaxy vs. Timbers Prediction & Picks
After the fragmented chaos of last season, the 2021 campaign has been a compelling watch for Major League Soccer fans. So far, it’s been a better season for the LA Galaxy than the Portland Timbers, but the pair will face each other on Friday night in the thick of playoff contention. Indeed, both teams expect to take their place in the postseason.
In MLS terms, these are two heavyweight franchises who have developed a rivalry with each other due to their standing in the Western Conference. This has the potential to be a blockbuster clash at Dignity Health Sports Park and is arguably the marquee match in MLS this weekend. Here are some Galaxy vs. Timbers tips and predictions.
LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers Prediction
When: Friday July 30
Start Time: 10:00 pm ET
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
Both the LA Galaxy and Portland Timbers come into this game on the back of damaging defeats with the former losing 4-0 to FC Dallas and the latter suffering a 2-1 defeat to Minnesota United last week. This, however, represents a chance for Greg Vanney and Gio Savarese to return their teams to winning ways and build momentum ahead of the crucial second phase of the regular season.
In particular, the Galaxy, in the midst of a three-game winless run, must rediscover their form. Vanney’s side have been hit hard by injuries, with Javier Hernandez sidelined for the last month, and international absences, with Sebastian Lletget, Jonathan dos Santos and Efrain Alavrez all at the Gold Cup, but must not allow the regular season to drift away from them.
The Timbers, who are also without a couple key figures at the moment due to the Gold Cup, have had the better of the Galaxy in recent meetings, having won five of their last six games against their Californian rivals. When the two sides last faced each other at Dignity Health Sports Park back in October 2020, Savarese’s side ran out 6-3 winners as they inflicted humiliation on the hosts.
A lot has changed since then with the LA Galaxy under new management, but the recent records of both teams hint that the trend of these fixtures producing goals will continue. Indeed, the Galaxy have conceded two or more goals in their last three league outings while the Timbers have conceded two or more goals in their last four away games in MLS.
Complete MLS odds for Galaxy vs. Timbers here
Galaxy vs. Timbers Prediction & Picks
0.5u - Over 3.5 Total Goals @ +130
0.5u - Portland Timbers ML @ +230