Portland Timbers vs Minnesota United
2nd March 0300hrs
Football – USA – MLS
Pick Draw
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 11/4 odds taken 03:49 GMT, Sunday 1st March
The new season of the MLS has arrived and this is a Western Conference clash. Portland Timbers finished 6th in last season’s conference, two places behind Minnesota. Who will make a winning start to the new campaign?
Table of Contents
Home advantage can get Timbers the points
Four of the last five meetings between the Portland Timbers and Minnesota United have ended in a home win (D1). So that is a favourable stat to kick things off with.
Because their home ground, Providence Park, was going through major renovations last season, the Timbers had the difficult task of playing their first dozen league games all away from home.
While they managed it quite well, they didn’t really push on when they got back home for a run of games. The Timbers did enough though to get to the post-season.
It was a tame loss in the playoffs against Salt Lake that they suffered then. For this season they have a new look attack with Jaroslaw Niezgoda and Felipe Mora coming in along with the returning Diego Valeri.
The Timbers hold a W2 D1 record from their three previous home games against United. In that sequence of games, the Timbers have scored a total of eight goals.
Last year’s corresponding fixture ended in a 0-0 draw and the Timbers are on a three-match winless streak against their Western Conference foes.
United face a tricky opener in the Pacific North East
Minnesota United have former Everton striker Adrian Heath as head coach. They had their best season (just their third) in the MLS during 2019 as they made it through to the postseason for the first team in their short history.
The Loons have lost a bit of attacking power over the summer with last year’s Designated Players Darwin Quintero and Angelo Rodriguez both having left the club. So that heaps a lot of pressure on Luis Amarilla to carry the can for them.
Of the two sides lining up in this one, the Loons look the stronger of the two at the back. They have Ike Opara organizing their backline and he was the MLS Defender of the Year for 2019.
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This trip out east is going to be a good early test of their defensive organisation. Minnesota look as if they are going to play to their defensive strengths and because of that, it could be worth backing the game to finish under 2.5 goals. After all, Minnesota United blanked Portland in both league games last season.
Portland Timbers vs Minnesota United Betting Advice
An interesting match at Providence Park and there may not be much to choose between them on the day. There is bound to be a bit of rust around from both and the draw appeals the most in the match outright.
Key Facts – Portland Timbers vs Minnesota United Betting Tip
- Portland Timbers are unbeaten at home against United
- Portland Timbers finished 4 points behind United last season
- Minnesota United are unbeaten in 3 against the Timbers
The Timbers haven’t gotten the better of United at the last three attempts and while they look as if they are the better of the two sides from an attacking perspective, the Loons can pick up a good away point to start their campaign.
The best betting odds for Portland Timbers vs Minnesota United
Portland Timbers to win: 5/6 at Bet365
Draw: 11/4 at Bet365
Minnesota United: 3/1 at Bet365
