The New York Red Bulls are in the midst of an awfully crowded portion of their schedule. They've finally been eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup, taking that distraction away from them, but from the return from the international break on June 15 through July 17, they'll play nine fixtures. They're nearly at the end of this run though, and a home match against the Portland Timbers after a rare full week off might end up rejuvenating them just a bit.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
New York Red Bulls -135
Portland Timbers +350
Draw +280
Over/Under 2.5 (over -140)
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Red Bulls were dominant last season at home. They haven't been quite as strong this season at Red Bull Arena, but their 6-0-2 mark is still one of the best in the MLS. That's why they're odds-on favorites at -135 to win this match, not to even mention the fact that the Timbers are traveling across the country and have managed just five points in nine away matches this year.
Portland is one of the higher scoring teams in the MLS. Its matches are averaging 3.17 goals per game, and that's why the over/under to beat in this one is set at 2.5 with -140 vig on the over.
KEY INJURIES
Discipline is going to be a big issue in this match even more than injuries. Both Aurelien Collin and Chris Duvall are going to be banned from this one for the Red Bulls thanks to yellow card accumulation, and that could put the hosts in a bit of a lurch.
Throw in the fact that Damien Perrinelle, Kemar Lawrence, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Tyler Adams are all sidelined by injuries, and one of the deepest teams in the MLS is clearly showing some chinks in the armor.
Portland is just without first-team goaltending choice Adam Kwarasey, though it has been making due with Jake Gleeson in the pipes for virtually the whole season.
LIVE BETTING
The Red Bulls are clearly weary right now. They haven't won a match in any competition since June 19, a span of four straight matches, and they've allowed multiple goals in three of those four games.
Portland though, has been just frighteningly woeful on the road, something that cannot be ignored. A point was procured at Colorado on the Fourth of July, but that won't end the misery of a season full of near misses and huge disappointments away from home.
The Timbers haven't scored a goal on the run of play in over 200 minutes, as their last two goals were both penalties against Houston back on June 26.
QUICK PICK
Even though the Timbers are clearly in some trouble this year on the road, this is a good spot for them to pick up three massive points to get back on the right side of the playoff race in the Western Conference.
The Red Bulls are thinned out a ton in this match, and with a lot of problems across the midfield, that could leave Darlington Nagbe a lot more room to operate than he's used to having at the front with more opportunities on the ball.
The Timbers are going to have to shore up their defense for sure in this one, but if they can come up with a result against New York as the result was at Colorado just a few short days ago, they could end up beating the odds and scoring a big victory for bettors.
MLS Odds: Portland Timbers 2, New York Red Bulls 1
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the New York Red Bulls and the Portland Timbers will kick off on Sunday, July 10, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. ET. This fixture from Red Bull Arena can be seen live on ESPN2.
