The Portland Timbers couldn't even crack the playoffs in their MLS Cup defense of 2016. They're no guarantee to return to the postseason this year, but they're off to a flying start with nine points in four matches. Their fifth offering will come against a team which has gotten off to a significantly rougher start, the New England Revolution.
Don't miss the MLS action from Providence Park at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 2, 2017. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN2.
Odds Analysis
The Timbers are virtually always favored, generally by pretty wide margins here at Providence Park, and this match isn't going to be an exception to that rule. Portland's home pitch advantage is massive, and New England's trip from the East Coast all the way to PDX is a bit of a stretch.
That said, these teams have a draw-laden history. Four of the seven matches have ended on level terms with three of those four draws coming at 1-1. Five of the six matches between the two have stayed under the total, though it should be noted that the Timbers do have a pair of big wins, 2-0 in 2015 and 3-0 in 2011 here at home over the Revs.
Key Injuries
So far, so good this year for New England on the injury front. There's a much bigger concern about the defense for Portland, though. Gbenga Arokoyo is out for the year with an Achilles injury, while both Vytas and Liam Ridgewell are out for at least a short period of time thanks to minor lower body injuries. Both could have enough time to get back into the fold, as both of their timetables for return were during the World Cup qualifying campaign that resumed last week across the globe.
Recent Form
Portland has been lighting up the scoreboard here at home this season. The team dropped five on Minnesota United in the first game of the regular season and followed that by scoring four times on Houston two weeks later. Sure, the Timbers' last effort on the road against Columbus turned out to not be a great one in a 3-2 loss that was a rematch of the MLS Cup from two seasons ago at MAPFRE Stadium. But don't let that deter you from realizing that this is a darn good club who has been scoring at will and has netted at least once in all four of its games this season.
There's a question as to whether New England is really any good or not this year. The Revolution have scored just one goal in two games against teams not named Minnesota United. The Loons, who have been a wreck this season, conceded five times last week at Gillette Stadium, albeit against a team that was missing a few pieces to the puzzle from World Cup qualifying.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
There's some talent here for New England for sure up front with Lee Nguyen, Kei Kamara and Juan Agudelo, but we just don't think this team can put this together. The win against Minnesota was a nice distraction from what was a team that went just 2-5-10 last year on the road and doesn't seem to be appreciably better than it was a season ago.
The Timbers are younger and seem to be a bit more aggressive than they were last year. Remember that Darlington Nagbe wasn't available in Columbus last week thanks to his duties with the USMNT, but he should be back and ready to run for a full 90 minutes, albeit on slightly tired legs after playing for the Stars and Stripes on last Friday and Tuesday.
MLS Odds: Portland 2, New England 1
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