The Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps played to a relatively lifeless draw in the opening game of a home-and-home series in the MLS Cup playoffs.
Only one can survive though, and we wonder if the 90 minutes at BC Place won't be enough to separate these two Western Conference powerhouses.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Vancouver Whitecaps +120
Portland Timbers +240
Draw +190
Over/Under 2.5 (Over -105)
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Whitecaps are favored in this one, but the margin isn't convincing at all. The hosts are +120 to take the win in regulation time, something which is very likely a requirement.
Vancouver will be satisfied with a scoreless draw at Providence Park, but the result is a scary one. If the Timbers score a goal, the Whitecaps will have no choice but to win or go out. A scoreless draw will send this match to extra time, while a score draw or a Portland victory will give the Timbers their biggest win in their history.
The total feels high at 2.5 and -115 vig on the over, especially after the cautious first leg these two just played.
KEY INJURIES
Pedro Morales and Mauro Rosales were both left on the Vancouver bench to start off the match due to minor injuries. Both were available as substitutes and came on to try to spark some forward thinking. We suspect that both will be available to start on Sunday.
Diego Chara has a foot sprain for the Timbers. His status will be determined closer to game time. Adam Kwarasey, the hero from the shootout against Sporting Kansas City earlier in the week, was ill and didn't play on Sunday, but he should be back in the fold this weekend.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We set ourselves up with a good opportunity to move on. We've been a team on the road that has been very good, so we're confident for next weekend." – Portland midfielder Jack Jewsbury on the psyche of the team heading into Sunday's clash at BC Place
THE FIRST LEG
There's no two ways around it: Portland was a tired team last Sunday. The Timbers had to play on Wednesday night for 120 minutes against Sporting Kansas City, and a ton of emotion and heart went into winning an 11-round shootout as well. To us, it almost looked as if both sides had predetermined that a scoreless draw was a successful venture, and that's exactly how things played out.
Diego Valeri had the best opportunity of the match and cracked the post late on for Portland. Vancouver had very few memorable advances.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
We're not sold that this match isn't playing into extra time. Once again, we suspect that both sides are going to proceed with caution as they did in the first match in Portland.
That said, if there is a goal early on, watch out. The fireworks could fly at that point. Vancouver is a capable offensive team with 45 goals scored on the season, and if it has to get going and net two, we think it at least has a shot to do so.
However, when you've got two teams on the pitch who both averaged allowing just over a goal per game, you've got a chance to have a relatively low-scoring duel as well.
Expect this one to be determined in extra time after 90 scoreless minutes, at which point we would tip the hosts to advance.
Vancouver 1, Portland 0 (AET)
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The fixture between the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Portland Timbers will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2015, at 9:30 p.m. at BC Place. The game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1.
