The Houston Dynamo (0 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw) and the Portland Timbers (1-0-0) will play their second games in Group F action of the MLS is Back Tournament Saturday at 8 p.m. ET at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Fla. Below, we preview the Portland-Houston betting odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets and picks at BetMGM.
Houston and LAFC played a wild 3-3 match in their tourney opener, while the Timbers outlasted the LA Galaxy by a 2-1 count in their first appearance in Orlando.
Houston Dynamo vs. Portland Timbers: Key injuries
Houston
- M Marcelo Palomino (thigh) questionable
- F Christian Ramirez (personal) out
- F Michael Salazar (knee) doubtful
Portland
- M Dairon Asprilla (knee) out
- M Andres Flores (personal) out
- F Felipe Mora (thigh) questionable
- D Dario Zuparic (suspension – red card) out
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Houston Dynamo vs. Portland Timbers: MLS odds, betting lines and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 6:20 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Portland 3, Houston 1
Moneyline (ML)
PORTLAND (+115) is the play in this one, as Houston (+210) has a terrible defense and shaky goalkeeping. The Dynamo just cannot be trusted. Conversely, the Timbers have locked it down on defense, allowing just one goal to the Galaxy in the group play opener, and they had a clean sheet in their final game before the pause against Nashville. The Timbers are far and away the better club here.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 2.5 (-167) is a slam-dunk play here – O/U 2.5 is the line available at most sportsbooks. However, at BetMGM, you can also hammer OVER 3.5 (+140) at a nice value. Houston’s defensive effort has been so poor during the regular season and in the first game of this tournament, so Portland has the potential to take care of the Over by itself. Betting BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE (-189) is also worth a small-unit play.
Want some action in this one? Place an MLS bet with BetMGM today. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
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