After a jam-packed mid-week slate of MLS action, we now look ahead to a busy weekend. Among many fixtures is an intriguing affair between the in-form Columbus Crew and the struggling Portland Timbers at Providence Park in Oregon. The kick-off is scheduled for 10:30 PM ET on Saturday evening. This is actually the first meeting of the campaign between the two, settling for a 1-1 draw towards the end of last season in September. Columbus is coming off a pair of stalemates but it’s important to note their last defeat came way back in May. That’s a big reason they’re one of the better clubs in the East. As for the Timbers, they lost 4-1 to Minnesota last weekend, their second loss in the last three outings. A positive result is very much needed here. Keep reading for the Portland Timbers vs Columbus Crew picks.
Before we get into the odds, match preview, and picks, check out the biggest Vegas online soccer betting sites if you plan to put money down on this game.
Despite Columbus sitting far above Portland in their respective conference, they’re a slight underdog at +190. The Timbers meanwhile come in at +130. Portland had won five of six against the Crew before the draw last fall. And as we’ll get into below, they’re a tad better at Providence Park, too.
After missing the playoffs last season, it’s been more disappointment for the Timbers in 2023. Giovanni Savarese’s men are 12th in the West with just 22 points from 21 games for an overall record of 5-9-7. Somehow though, Portland still has a realistic shot at making the postseason, with the ninth-place Whitecaps only three points ahead.
Despite that, it’s hard to find a lot of positives so far for this club. They have a goal difference of -8, scoring a mere 23 times and conceding 31. Plus, the Timbers have won only two matches since the beginning of May and the last one came on June 11th. Not good.
Portland was supposed to clash with Colorado Wednesday but it got suspended. That would’ve been a chance to bounce back from a deflating 4-1 defeat to Minny last Saturday, where the backline was hopeless. An own goal by Diego Chara put the Timbers behind before the Loons scored once more prior to halftime. Striker Franck Boli cut the lead in half in the 60th minute but their opponents proceeded to net twice in a span of just three minutes to seal the deal.
That’s now four outings without a victory for Savarese’s group. Certainly not ideal. On a more positive note, their 4-3-3 record at home is respectable and Portland has an impressive track record against Columbus. Let’s see if that can come in handy.
The Crew also missed out on the playoffs in 22′ but it’s a much different story this year. Wilfried Nancy’s side is thriving and only two points off second-place Nashville. The postseason looks to be a reality. Finding the back of the net seems to be absolutely no issue for Columbus, scoring 43 in 22 games and conceding 30. Very respectable.
Lucas Zelarayan is the leading catalyst in the final third for Nancy, bagging eight goals and supplying six assists. He’s a true Swiss Army knife for the Crew in the middle of the pitch. Forward Christian Ramirez meanwhile has been clinical, slotting home eight goals in 18 appearances, including 14 starts. Four others have a minimum of three goals in the squad, too. Lots of contributions coming from all over.
Columbus was one of just a few teams who weren’t in action Wednesday. They did settle for a 1-1 draw with NYCFC on July 8th though, despite having 10 men after Cucho Hernandez was sent off. Sean Zawadzki helped the Crew salvage a point, which is certainly a decent result given the circumstances.
Before that, the Crew also tied Inter Miami 2-2. There is no doubt they will be hungry as ever to get back to their winning ways and although Columbus appears to be a lot better than Portland on paper, the Timbers cannot be taken for granted. Plus, Nancy’s boys own a dismal 2-5-3 record on the road. Not great by any means.
I really do think this will be a cagey affair. While it may seem like the logical thing to take the Crew, I can’t underestimate Portland. With that in mind, the most value sits in a draw at +265 at Bovada online sportsbook. Cash it in.
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