Portland Timbers v Dallas
Sunday 30th June 0400hrs
Football – International – MLS
Pick Portland Timbers
Bookmaker Marathon Bet
Odds: 31/50 (odds taken 18.00 GMT, Saturday 28th June)
The CONCACAF might be taking centre stage in North America, but the MLS is ongoing and we delve into the Western Conference as bottom of the table Portland host Dallas.
Portland Timbers Preview – Can Portland find a way to climb off the bottom of the Conference?
It’s been a struggle for Portland so far this season as they find themselves bottom of the Wester Conference having played 15 games. It’s in stark contrast to last season when they won their Conference and progressed to the MLS Cup final only to lose out to Atlanta United. There is one hugely mitigating factor in their current position, however. With Providence Park being expanded Portland have played 13 of their 15 games away from home so far this season. The situation is far from being a crisis as a result of that, and nobody has played fewer games in the conference than Portland. They’re also only four points off the playoff positions such is the competitiveness of the league and will feel their experience can tell in the latter part of the season.
The lack of home games cannot be understated due to how much of a fortress Providence Park has been down the years. Even this season they have won their last two home games 4-0 against LA Galaxy (US Open Cup) and Houston Dynamo last week in the MLS. This game marks the first of four they play at Providence Park in the month of July. We’ll get a far better indication of where this Portland team will end up after those games.
Dallas Preview – Will Dallas find improvement away from home to cement playoff place?
FC Dallas have never won the MLS and are not able to rid themselves of the underachievement tag as a result. It’s a franchise that has had so much potential at difference times down the years without every realising it fully. They have made the playoffs in each of the last four years but only ever once to the final itself – back in 2010. With the expansion of the league and the competition only getting stronger it makes it more difficult every season for them to win their maiden title. Could it be this year? Well, as is so often the case, they are well placed in the playoff positions. Currently in fourth spot, Dallas are 11 points behind Los Angeles FC but six clear of Real Salt Lake who occupy the first spot outside the playoffs. They have played a couple of games more, however.
Recent form has been somewhat indifference as they search for some consistency. They have not won consecutive games in the league since April and have a tough schedule ahead of them. Having been 2-0 up at home in midweek against Vancouver it will feel like a couple of points dropped drawing 2-2.
Key-Facts – Portland Timbers v FC Dallas
- Portland sit bottom of the Western Conference but have played just two of their 15 games at home so far
- FC Dallas are comfortably in the playoff spots at the moment but have won just two of their 8 away games
- The Timbers are traditionally very strong at Providence Park and won their last two home games 4-0
Portland Timbers v Dallas Betting Advice
Remarkably this will be only Portland’s third home game in the league this season and they will be looking to take advantage. Dallas’ away record has been terrible, on the other and, although with the amount of travelling involved that’s the case for most MLS teams. These teams last met in the middle of April when Dallas prevailed 2-1 at home. It’s been a very tight fixture down the years, including three draws in the last six league meetings. Dallas’ last win in Portland came back in 2016 during the regular season. Incidentally that was the year Portland on the MLS Cup.
It’s all well and good having the games in hand to make up points on the other teams but they have to be turned into results. Portland are in that position and will be aware they are entering an important month for their season. That starts with Dallas at home and their last couple of performances and Providence Park should provide them with great confidence. Dallas have lost five of their eight games and this looks like being another one where they will struggle. Portland have found their scoring boots in recent weeks and that attack can power them to three points.
