Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps Match Analysis and Prediction

Sunday, the Portland Timbers host the Vancouver Whitecaps at Providence Park. The two rivals are in a tight playoff race in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer with kickoff at 5:30 am.

The Portland Timbers, who have been in the league for five years now, look determined to show they have another great run left in them. Throughout the campaign, many suggested the defending Western Conference champions had too many players past their prime and that they were a shadow of what they used to be.

Since the international break, this team have disproven those claims, earning points in five consecutive league fixtures to put themselves back in the playoff conversation. Head coach Giovanni Savarese did not mince words about their thoughts on Seattle winning the CONCACAF Champions League, saying they were “pissed” that their Pacific rivals took home the title.

The Caps had to come back multiple times this week against a potent offensive unit in FC Cincinnati, but they ended up taking home a well-deserved single point.

The Caps became the first team in MLS history to score a goal late in the match after also tying the game within five minutes of kickoff. When you think of some of the most iconic comebacks this club has had over the years under manager Vanni Sartini, many fans will immediately remember what happened last year in Portland.

Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps Head to Head

Both sides have 46 games against each other with hosts taking 21 wins while visitors with 21 wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:

Home

• Seattle 3-0 Portland
• Nashville 2-2 Portland
• Portland 2-1 Houston
• Portland 3-0 Colorado Rapids

Away

• FC Cincinnati 2-2 Vancouver
• Vancouver 1-3 Minnesota
• Vancouver 1-0 LA Angeles FC
• NER 0-0 Vamcouver

Portland Timbers Team News

The Timbers have outscored their opponents 11-4 in the last five games, with five different players scoring, including Sebastian Blanco, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, Santiago Moreno, Yimmi Chara and Dairon Asprilla. Aljaz Ivacic made five saves last Saturday to collect his fifth shutout of the year; Bill Tuiloma has not scored since late May.

Vancouver Team News

Sartini has several players out of the lineup this weekend due to injuries: Berhalter (right foot stress fracture), Caicedo (right knee meniscus surgery), Andres Cubas (left adductor discomfort) and Cristian Gutierrez (left calf).

Prediction and Odds

Since the international break, the Timbers seem to be playing with a lot more fire than we saw at the start of the season, proving that they are still a tough team to play against.

• Home Win
• Both Teams to Score
• Goals Over 1.5