Seattle Sounders
- Seattle Sounders are the overwhelming favorites for this derby at Seattle Stadium, but it is Seattle Sounders who have the better form across their last five matches.
- The hosts are on a two-game losing streak after being beaten 2-0 at home by LA Galaxy and 1-0 by Los Angeles FC away from home, but the Timbers have been even worse.
- They followed a 2-2 draw at CF Montreal with a 2-0 defeat to Inter Miami CF and a 1-3 loss at home to San Jose Earthquakes.
- Sounders have won 1, drawn 2 and lost 2 in their last five MLS games, while Timbers have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 3 in the same number of fixtures.
Portland Timbers
- Portland do not travel well and that's another reason why we are siding with Seattle here, who have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 1 at home across all competitions.
- Jack Cassidy's men are 1-1-4 on their travels this term, which isn't the kind of record that makes you think they will win away at Seattle in a derby.
- Sounders are a controlled build-up team, with double-pivot rotations and patient probing to drag opponents out of shape.
- Timbers prefer to stay compact and press with high-energy players who can transition quickly.
- Seattle's game should see them control the ball more, but Portland can sting on the counter-attack.
Key Players
- Kevin Kelsy has five MLS goals in 14 games and three of the last eight Timbers goals, so he's the man to stop if you are a Sounders defender.
- David Da Costa is a quality passer and distributor for Portland, having created three assists in his last five.
Betting Insights
- Odds:Seattle Sounders are 1.52 favorites to win, Portland Timbers are 5.97 underdogs and the draw is 4.89.
- They have won 5, drawn 2 and lost 3 of their 10 in all competitions, while Timbers are 3-2-5.
- Markets: Over 2.5 goals at 1.36 has merit based on the quality of chances that should be on offer, while both teams to score at 1.5 has plenty of derby appeal.
- A goal for Portland seems likely because Seattle have conceded 1.33 at home in all competitions, which isn't great.
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Recent home/away records:
- Seattle have won four, drawn one and lost one home game across all competitions.
- Portland have won one, drawn one and lost four away across all competitions.
Prediction
Seattle look to have enough quality to win this derby, but Portland need a superb pressing effort to spring the upset and we don't fancy them to get it.
