Portland vs Nashville – Portland Timbers host Nashville SC on Wednesday for a Western Conference playoff matchup. Last year’s MLS runners-up are eighth owing to an eight-game unbeaten streak, while the Boys in Gold are just a point above them.
The Timbers turned around a season that seemed doomed with a 4-4 draw against Minnesota United last Saturday. Giovanni Savarese was pleased with his team’s chances against the Loons, but he’s not happy with the giveaways they’ve made recently.
Portland has been caught in transition many times. Their goal last weekend was the first in the first half since a 3-0 triumph against the Seattle Sounders. The Timbers have rescued several points late in matches this year.
Back-to-back home games against Conference foes could offer Portland breathing room in the playoff race.
During their unbeaten streak, they’ve outscored opponents 18-10 and scored multiple goals in six games. Portland has earned at least a point in each of its previous seven openers.
Another low-scoring affair earned Nashville a single point this past weekend as they failed to hold onto an early lead at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Portland vs Nashville – Betting Analysis
Uncharacteristically, a team known for its defence has now left 12 points on the table when leading in the second half. Gary Smith’s club has relied largely on their German striker, scoring only once in five games.
Defending against some of the most dynamic offensive units in the Western Conference has been difficult for them. They’ve conceded 29 times this year, only four fewer than in the whole 2021 regular season when they were in the Eastern Conference.
While their home record was a talking point early in the season, they’ve been a solid unit away from home, scoring multiple goals four times and collecting more than half of their points on the road (18).
The Boys in Gold have only played one game at Providence Park, in 2020, when they had seven shots on goal but lost 1-0 despite allowing just one.
Portland vs Nashville – Head -to- Head
Our Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals
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