Portland Timbers vs Colorado Preview, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips
Portland Timbers vs Colorado Preview
Last season’s mid-table side Portland Timbers will play host to lowly Colorado Rapids at Providence Park on Sunday, February 25.
The hosts enter this contest on the back of a rather disappointing preseason. They played four games, losing two, drawing one and winning one. In this phase, they managed to score just three goals but conceded four. Timbers hired former Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville for this season and will look to do well under him. Their last outing was a 2-1 defeat to Chicago Fire as the opponents came from behind to secure the result.
Colorado, on the other hand, have had a much more productive preseason. They have played six games, winning three, losing two and drawing one. Their wins have been huge as they scored 16 and let in just four in those. However, several goals per game have been a feature of their games. The Rapids have scored a whopping 21 goals in those six games but have also conceded 14 goals. Their last outing was a last-gasp 3-2 defeat against Orlando City SC as Robin Fraser’s men will look to overturn that result.
On that note, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.
Team News
Portland Timbers
Manager Neville will be raring to get started with the new MLS campaign. He has a nearly fully fit and available squad for the Portland Timbers’ opening game of the season. However, two long-term absentees will miss out. Defender Claudio Bravo (knee) and winger Marvin Loria (knee) will both remain sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Colorado
Manager Fraser will largely have a fit and available squad to select from before the Rapids’ season opener. However, two long-term absentees will remain sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Goalkeeper Zack Steffen (knee) and center-back Daniel Chacon (cruciate ligament) have been out since last season. They could be in-line to make their comebacks from injury layoffs midway through the upcoming season.
Predicted Lineups
Portland Timbers
The Timbers should stick with the same XI they have played in most of their preseason friendlies so far.
Predicted XI: Maxime Crepeau (GK), Juan Mosquera, Zac McGraw, Dario Zuparic, Claudio Bravo, Cristhian Paredes, Diego Chara (C), Evander, Santiago Moreno, Felipe Mora, Dairon Asprilla.
Colorado
The manager will likely stick with a similar team he fielded towards the end of last season. Most of the main players from last season will likely retain their place in the team.
Predicted XI: Marko Ilic (GK), Sebastian Anderson, Andreas Maxso, Moise Bombito, Sam Vines, Ralph Priso, Connor Ronan, Calvin Harris, Jonathan Lewis, Dorde Mihailovic, Rafael Navarro.
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Head-to-Head
Last 5 Games Head-to-Head
- Portland 3-2 Colorado (09/23)
- Colorado 0-0 Portland (07/23)
- Portland 3-0 Colorado (06/22)
- Colorado 2-0 Portland (05/22)
- Colorado 0-1 Portland (11/21)
As you can see, Portland leads the head-to-head with three wins to Colorado’s one, with the team sharing one draw. Four of their last five meetings have failed to see both teams score, with one of those ending in a goalless draw.
Prediction
Due to a lack of consistency in results, it is unlikely the result of the next game will be similar to the last game, which was high-scoring. All this points towards a rather cagey match. This game could end in a score draw.
Prediction: Portland Timbers 1-1 Colorado.
Betting Tips and Odds
Betting Tips
- Both Teams to Score – Yes: 1.68
- Under 2.5 Goals – Yes: 2.23
- Colorado to Score a Goal – Yes: 1.46
Match Odds
- Portland Timbers Win: 1.65
- Draw: 4.20
- Colorado Rapids Win: 4.80
Portland Timbers vs Colorado Timings & Telecast
- Date & Time: Sunday, February 25th at 3:30 AM (GMT).
- India: MLS Season Pass.
- UK: MLS Season Pass.
- US: MLS Season Pass (Match), Apple TV (HLs).
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