MLS action is in full swing on Saturday, and over at TQL Stadium in Ohio, FC Cincinnati will play host to a Western Conference side as the Portland Timbers make the trip across the country. The kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET. Cincy is currently second in the East, while the Timberwolves are ninth in the West. However, we’re just eight games into the 2023 campaign. Keep reading for the FC Cincinnati vs Portland picks.
Before we get into the odds, match preview, and prediction, check out the biggest Vegas online soccer betting sites if you plan to put money down on this clash.
Cincinnati is a heavy favorite with -175 odds at Bovada online sportsbook, while Portland comes back at +500. Quite the contrast. In two meetings between the two, Cincy has a 3-0 win and a 1-1 draw. This is the first time they’ve locked horns since 2020.
FC Cincinnati is coming off its best campaign since joining the MLS, making it all the way to the quarterfinals in last year’s playoffs. So far, they’re off to another good start as well. Through eight games, Cincy is 5-1-2 but did finally lose last weekend, getting throttled 5-1 by newcomers St. Louis City FC. Prior to that, however, Cincinnati was unbeaten.
Pat Noonan’s men might not score many goals with just 1.2 per match, but the backline is rock-solid, conceding a mere nine times this term. The St. Louis match was a rare occurrence. Sergio Santos is the main man up top with three goals already, and he also netted the lone one on matchday eight. After such a brutal performance, you can expect Cincinnati to respond with authority on home soil.
Portland is one of the more successful clubs in the MLS, but they missed the playoffs last season and have been playing poorly thus far. The Timbers are in the ninth spot with two wins, four defeats, and two draws. That being said, Portland is fresh off the type of victory that could give them some momentum.
The Timbers just spanked their rivals Seattle 4-1 last Saturday, with four different players finding the back of the net. Juan Mosquera, Dairon Asprilla, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, and Nathan Fogaca all produced the goods on home soil, as the Timbers registered a whopping 17 shots, with eight finding the target. Portland will be feeling a sense of confidence in Cincinnati, despite their spot in the standings.
Portland was very impressive against a strong club in Seattle. I expect them to salvage a draw Saturday against Cincinnati.
Before digging deep into this matchup, check out our top sportsbook reviews below, which have plenty of information to help you find the best option.
