The Portland Timbers (3 wins, 6 losses, 7 draws) host the Colorado Rapids (5-6-4) at Providence Park Saturday. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
Portland enters this battle 13th in the Western Conference. The Timbers are led in scoring by D Bill Tuiloma, who has 5 goals on the season.
The Timbers have lost 3 of their last 4 and only have 9 points at home in 7 home matches. Since entering the MLS in 2011, the Timbers haven’t finished outside the top 8 in the West, so this lack of success is recent.
The Rapids also haven’t been as dominant as last season, having topped the conference a year ago and now 9th. Colorado has 17 goals on the season and has allowed 18.
Colorado has struggled mightily on the road, accruing just 2 points in 7 matches. The Rapids are led in scoring by star F Diego Rubio with 7 goals. The rest of the team has 10 combined. They’re 2-3-1 in their last 6.
Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.
Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids odds, lines, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 3:14 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Portland Timbers +122 (bet $100 to win $122) | Colorado Rapids +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Draw +250
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -117 | U: -103)
[tipico]
Prediction
Portland Timbers 1, Colorado Rapids 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN DRAW +250.
The Timbers will enter this game with the most draws in the MLS and 3 of those 7 ties have come at home.
Portland and its opponent have been within 0.5 of each other in expected goals, so despite playing Inter Miami and LA Galaxy, they’ve played to the level of their competition.
As for the Rapids, they’ve drawn 2 of 7 road games, losing 5.
That said, both Colorado and Portland rank in the bottom half of the league in passing percentage, so they aren’t overly efficient at getting the ball up the field.
While Portland has allowed 26 goals, that shouldn’t worry bettors because Colorado has scored just 17 in 15 matches. They aren’t a very attack-heavy side outside of Rubio.
Considering how they’ve played at home and weaknesses in passing, I’d lean to the draw.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (-103).
The Timbers might have one of the worst defenses in the West, but they allowed 7 to Sporting KC which was a bruise to their numbers, causing them to be a bit inflated.
Portland games have gone under this total in 6 of its last 9. Colorado is a similar story, having gone under this total in 6 of its last 8.
They’ve scored just 1.13 goals per game, allowing just 1.2. The Rapids had the second-best defense in the West a season ago and still have a consistently efficient backline.
Given the form of both teams coming into this game, the Under 2.5 (-103) is my favorite bet.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=3296]