LAFC vs. Portland Timbers Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 9/29/21

Los Angeles FC vs. Portland Timbers

The MLS betting action goes on Wednesday, September 29, with 13 games around the continent, so we have prepared the best LAFC vs. Portland Timbers betting pick and odds for the Western Conference showdown at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. The Black and Gold meet the Timbers for the third time this season, and Portland has won the previous two duels with an identical 2-1 result, playing as a home dog on both occasions.

LAFC hopes to stop a two-game slide

The Black and Gold are coming off a 2-0 defeat at the San Jose Earthquakes this past Saturday. They took six shots more than their rivals (13-7) but couldn’t avoid the second straight defeat, as Los Angeles suffered a narrow loss at Portland a couple of weekends ago.

Now, the Black and Gold are laying at the eighth spot of the Western Conference standings with 33 points from 26 games (W9, D6, L11) and a 38:38 goal difference. They trail the seventh-seeded Real Salt Lake by three points, so LAFC desperately needs to get things going down the stretch in order to sneak into the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Striker Cristian Arango and winger Diego Rossi lead the way for the Black and Gold, combining for 12 goals so far this season. Arango joined the team in August and bagged six goals in eight appearances. The Black and Gold have some selection problems, as centre-back Eddie Segura is done for the season due to a knee injury, while Carlos Vela, who’s scored five goals along with four assists, is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Portland eyes its third straight win

The Timbers are undefeated in six straight outings at any location, tallying five wins in the process along with a 2-2 home draw against the Colorado Rapids. In their last two showings, the Timbers have outlasted LAFC 2-1 and Real Salt Lake 6-1, finishing a three-game homestand in style with that dismantling of the Claret and Cobalt.

Portland is now sitting at the fourth spot of the Western Conference table with 40 points from 26 contests (W12, D4, L10) and a 42:43 goal difference. The Timbers are seven points ahead of the No. 7 seed and eight behind the top-seeded Seattle Sounders.

The 28-year-old striker Felipe Mora leads the charge for the Timbers with ten goals and three assists in 21 MLS appearances so far this season. He’s scored three goals over his previous five outings. Winger Dairon Asprilla has netted six times in 25 apps, while wingers Yimmi Chara and Sebastian Blanco have accounted for three goals each.

The Pick: Both Teams to Score YES

Despite the teams’ current form and their previous encounters in 2021, the bookies consider the Black and Gold as firm favorites for Wednesday’s clash in Los Angeles. Just ten days ago, the Timbers beat LAFC at home, 2-1. Furthermore, Portland has won three straight games on the road without conceding, so the Black and Gold should have a difficult task to satisfy the odds.

I would avoid the side bet. The hosts desperately need a win over the in-form Timbers, but the odds at -180 are not tempting at all.

Total: Pick:Both Teams to Score YES

As I’ve mentioned, the Timbers have won three straight on the road without conceding a single goal. Frankly, that’s unsustainable form, and I’m expecting Los Angeles FC to find the net in front of the home fans.

The Black and Gold are struggling with injuries at the back. They’ve conceded ten goals over their last six games overall and 11 over their previous five showings at Banc of California Stadium. Six of LAFC’s last seven home games saw both teams scoring.