Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
This mid-table MLS Western Conference clash sees Minnesota United welcome Portland Timbers to the Allianz Field, with the home side looking to get back to winning ways after two consecutive MLS draws. Portland have been in good form in their last few games, winning 2-1 away at Seattle Sounders and beating LA Galaxy 4-0 at home in their last two outings. They are the only team to win at Seattle in the 2019 MLS campaign.
Fans can expect some goals to be scored in this game. Minnesota have the Western Conference’s third most prolific attack, having scored 38 league goals in 2019. Portland have scored 35 league goals this season. But both sides have tendency to concede too, with United having let in 30 goals this season and Portland 32.
Minnesota United vs Portland Timbers Prediction: United 1-1 Timbers
Our prediction for this game is that it will end in a score draw. Although we have predicted a 1-1 final outcome, it would be no surprise it we saw more goals scored than that. Both teams are capable of breaking open stubborn defences, but they also concede plenty of goals. Neither side is among the very best in the Western Conference this season, but they are both decent sides and spectators should be treated to plenty of entertainment on Sunday. In the end, we suspect that the two sides will cancel each other out.
Our recommended tip: Draw, both score
Our featured tip for this game comes from Betway, who are offering odds of 16/5 on the game being a draw where both teams score. We think that this is a good bet because both sides score plenty of goals, but also concede on regular occasions. The odds of 16/5 also offer really good value to sensible punters who are prepared to bet astutely. These sides are pretty close to each other in the league table and there is not a lot to choose between them in terms of form. The home side have also drawn their last two games and we suspect that that run will continue this weekend.
Previous matches
These two sides have met on four previous occasions in the MLS, with all of those games coming over the last few seasons. Each team has won on two occasions, and there have been plenty of goals scored.
The most recent meeting between the teams was in September 2018, and was hosted by Minnesota at the TCF Bank Stadium. The home side emerged as 3-2 winners on the day, with their goals being scored by Romario Ibarra, who bagged a brace, and Michael Boxall, who scored two minutes before half time. All of United’s goals were scored in the first half, with Portland netting twice after the interval.
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Players to watch: Darwin Quintero & Brian Fernandez
Colombian forward Darwin Quintero could be a key man for Minnesota this weekend. He has scored seven goals in his 18 starts in the MLS in 2019, and has also provided five assists for his team-mates. In total, he has managed 55 shots on goal, with 18 of those being on target. Four of his goals this season have come from the penalty spot, and one of his goals has turned out to be a game-winning strike.
Portland striker Brian Fernandez is key to the Timbers’ hopes of victory this weekend. The Argentine striker has scored eight goals in his 10 appearances in the MLS for the Timbers in 2019. Three of his goals have been game-winning goals this season, something which highlights the Argentine’s ability to deliver at clutch moments. His combination with fellow-countryman Diego Valeri is something that United will need to watch closely.
