Portland Timbers vs. LAFC Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 9/19/21
Portland played to a 2-2 draw at home against the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday. Sebastian Blanco scored during stoppage time in the second half to help the short-handed Timbers earn a draw and share in the spoils against the Rapids. The Portland Timbers will play without Ismaila Jome, Jeff Attinella, Andy Polo and Eryk Williamson, while Diego Valeri is questionable.
LAFC defeated Austin 2-1 on Wednesday. Cristian Arango opened the scoring for LAFC in the 59th minute from the penalty spot. Austin scored an equalizer in the 67th minute but Daniel Musovski scored the winner in the 81st minute for LAFC. LAFC will be without Mahala Opoku, Pablo Sisniega, Eduard Atuesta, Eddie Segura, Erik Duenas, Carlos Vela, Julian Gaines, Alvaro Quezada and Tristan Blackmon
Portland Returns to top seven
The Portland Timbers are fifth in the MLS Western Conference standings with a record of 10-4-10, 34 points and a -7 goal difference. Portland moved back into playoff contention with its draw on Wednesday and is now one point ahead of seventh-place LAFC. Portland has scored 34 goals this season for an average of 1.42 goals per match, but the Timbers back line has been too leaky allowing an average of 1.71 goals per match.
The leading goal scorer for Portland this season has been Felipe Mora with 10, while Dairon Asprilla has scored five and two others have three each. Sebastian Blanco is the leader for Portland in assists with 4, while Mora has three and five others have two assists each. Portland goalkeeper Steve Clarke has appeared in 14 matches and allowed 19 goals for an average of 1.36 goals against. Four other keepers for Portland have appeared between two and five matches.
LAFC Moving Up Conference Standings
With its victory over Austin on Wednesday, LAFC moved into seventh place in the Western Conference standings with a record of 9-6-9, 33 points and a +3 goal difference. LAFC is tied on points with sixth-place Real Salt Lake but is behind in goal difference. This season LAFC has scored 37 goals for an average of 1.54 goals per match, while it's backline and keepers are allowing an average of 1.42 goals per match.
The leading goal scorer this season for LAFC is Diego Rossi with 6, but close behind are Jose Cifuentes, Carlos Vela and Cristian Arango with five goals each. Eduard Atuesta has seven assists to lead LAFC and Vela has posted five assists. Tomas Romero has appeared in 16 matches for LAFC and allowed 24 goals for an average of 1.50 goals per match. Backup keeper Pablo Sisniega is out injured.
Pick: Portland Timbers +170
Portland has three victories and one draw over the last four matches played and at home this season Portland has six wins, three losses and three draws. In the only meeting between the two this season, Portland defeated LAFC 2-1 at home on July 21. LAFC has struggled on the road of late losing four of the last five away from their home pitch. Portland is much healthier entering this matchup with four players out injured, while LAFC has 9 players sidelined including second-leading scorer Carlos Vela.
Total: Over
The total has finished over the 2.5 goals per match threshold in 3 of the last five meetings between these two Western Conference rivals. The goal total has finished over in 4 of Portland's last 7 matches overall and in each of the last five overall for LAFC. In the only meeting of the season between these two, a combined three goals were scored in Portland’s 2-1 victory.