The second half of the season will kick off on Sunday and one of the premier games will be between Sporting KC and the Portland Timbers. Sporting KC is two points ahead of Portland in the standings, but there is still a lot of soccer to be played in the race to make the MLS playoffs.
MLS Odds at BookMaker.eu
Portland Timbers +363
Sporting Kansas City -123
Draw +282
Over/Under 2.5 (Over -116)
ODDS ANALYSIS
These two teams have yet to play this season and will meet in consecutive weeks immediately after the All-Star Break. Sporting KC comes into this match having lost two of its last three games, while Portland recently had its nine game unbeaten streak snapped with a loss against the LA Galaxy last week.
Both Sporting KC and Portland have lost bettors money this season, but the Timbers have been a money pit as the defending champions. Only one team in the Western Conference has lost bettors more money this season, the Houston Dynamo. The Timbers have played high scoring games though, with an average of three goals scored in each of their games.
KEY PLAYERS
Saad Abdul-Salaam leads Sporting KC in assists and his deft passing skills helped lead a rout of the Seattle Sounders in the last game before the All-Star Break. What makes him even more impressive is that he leads the team as a defender and is the league leader in assists among defenders. His ability to force the action as a defenseman has led to odd-man breaks and created chances for his club all season long.
Dom Dwyer is one of the league’s leaders in goals and leads Sporting KC with 10. He has a propensity to score in bunches and this season he has notched three braces, including in Sporting KC’s win over Seattle. He opened and closed out the scoring against the Sounders and is one of the best scorers in the club’s history.
The Timbers have one of the most talented young players in the MLS in Darlington Nagbe and he is a terror when he is on the pitch. He consistently presses the action as an attacking midfielder and has provided a spark for the team since returning from injury. He has the potential to create havoc among a back line and Sporting KC must keep an eye on him.
Diego Valeri leads Portland with 14 points, nine goals and five assists, and has been on fire lately. Even though he failed to score against the Galaxy his last time out, he notched four goals in his two starts prior and has been a masterful finisher.
LIVE BETTING
Watch Portland’s defense early in this match. It is already one of the shakiest back lines in the MLS and got even worse with a season-ending injury to Nat Borchers last week. The club looks set to sign former Newcastle defender Steven Taylor to replace him, but he probably won’t be ready to play for this one.
QUICK PICK
Portland has one of the most high-powered offenses in MLS and is averaging a goal and a half per game this season. The Timbers have been difficult to stop, but it’s back line has been a mess and that is what has held them back this season.
Look for Portland to notch a goal in this game, but Dwyer and Sporting KC to run amok for much of the match. It may not come until late, but Sporting KC will get the win here.
MLS Odds: Sporting KC 2, Portland 1
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