First place in Group D of the MLS is Back Tournament will be up for grabs when the Portland Timbers take on Los Angeles FC on Thursday night. Both these teams have already qualified for the knockout rounds of the tournament, but the Timbers have the edge for first place with two wins in their previous two matches. LAFC picked up a win and a draw in their two tilts, so the reigning Supporters’ Shield holders need to grab all three points to edge Portland in the group.
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MLS Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Portland Timbers +382
Los Angeles FC -164
Draw +351
Over/Under 3.5
Odds Analysis
Portland has performed well in Orlando, and that makes the Timbers a dangerous team in the knockout rounds of the MLS is Back Tournament. They looked sharp against the Los Angeles Galaxy in their opener last Monday, taking a 2-0 lead halfway through the second half thanks to goals from Jeremy Ebobisse and Sebastian Blanco, A Dario Zuparic red card in the 75th minute put the three points in jeopardy, but Portland held the Galaxy to one goal and grabbed a 2-1 victory.
A second 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday ensured that the Timbers would make it out of the Group Stage. This was a wide-open match with plenty of chances for both teams, and the two clubs combined for 36 shots. Ebobisse and Diego Valeri found the back of the net for Portland, but Houston’s only goal came from a late penalty by Alberth Elis who was then shown a red card two minutes later.
Los Angeles FC doesn’t have last year’s MVP and Golden Boot winner available, but this club is still pouring in the goals without Carlos Vela. In their first match, LAFC erased a 3-1 halftime deficit to earn a draw with the Houston Dynamo. Offseason acquisition Bradley Wright-Phillips scored before the break, and Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez added goals after halftime to ensure LAFC picked up a result. They outshot the Dynamo 22-9, but Houston made the most of their chances.
We saw a dominant performance out of LAFC against their city rivals in El Trafico on Saturday. Diego Rossi knocked in a whopping four goals in a 6-2 rout of the Los Angeles Galaxy. Rossi had a brace before halftime and added another second half brace to ensure LAFC picked up the victory, while Wright-Phillips and Mohamed El Monir also added goals.
Key Absences
Midfielder Dairon Asprilla underwent knee surgery during the extended break, and he will not be available until 2021 for Portland. The Timbers also might not have Felipe Mora for this match due to a right thigh strain, but Ebobisse has filled in splendidly with goals in both games. Zuparic will return after serving a one-game suspension.
The loss of Carlos Vela has yet to effect LAFC’s high-powered offense. However, the club will be without Adrien Perez due to a strained hamstring and Adama Diomande is questionable to play as well because of a foot injury. Defender Danilo Silva is questionable with a strained hamstring.
Player to Watch
Diego Valeri is close to notching an important career milestone. Valeri joined the Timbers in 2013, and he has been an instrumental part of their success. He is one goal away from joining the 80-80 club following his tally on Saturday, and the Argentinian midfielder has 79 goals and 82 assists in his MLS career.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
The over is the best bet due to the firepower on both of these rosters.
Major League Soccer Odds: Los Angeles FC 3, Portland Timbers 2
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