LA Galaxy vs Portland Timbers Prediction: Galaxy can’t afford to lose

LA Galaxy and Portland Timbers are facing each other for the second time this season after their goalless draw back in March. Since then the difference between both teams has been significant, with The Timbers having a better season than LA Galaxy in general. LA Galaxy are coming off a 3-3 draw with Austin FC, a game they came from behind to earn a draw. They will be hoping to get a better game against Portland Timbers, who are in very fine form.

Portland Timbers come into this game with a 4-match win streak to protect, but this offers them a difficult challenge considering the fact that Portland have not beaten LA Galaxy in a league game at the Dignity Health Sports Park since 2020.

LA Galaxy are not playing badly at the moment, although they would have wished for better results in their recent matches, after dropping significant points following the 3 draws in their last 5 games. They only won 1 of their last 5 games and that was against Los Angeles FC last month. LA Galaxy are hoping they can end in the playoffs after putting in a lot of effort to turn their form around. So a win here would be the definite desire of the LA Galaxy team.

They held Austin FC to a 3-3 draw in their last match. Alexander Ring, Ethan Finlay and Emiliano Rigoni were all on target but the game ended as a draw at full time.

LA Galaxy are 13th in the western conference with 34 points and a goal difference of -9.

• Without a clean sheet in 4 games.
• More than 2.5 goals in 7/8 games.
• Both teams scored in 5/6 games.
• First half loser in 5/6 games.
• Less than 10.5 corners in 4/5 games.

Portland Timbers have been unbeatable in their last 6 games in a row. They have recorded 5 wins and 1 draw in that time. After 4 straight wins in a row, they travel to the Dignity Health Sports Park to face LA Galaxy in a bid to continue their excellent form.

The Timbers have the opportunity to climb off the 7th spot and into the top 4 ,if they beat LA Galaxy in this game. Their last game against Colorado Rapids ended in a win. Antony Alves, Santiago Moreno and Felipe Mora were on target to give The Timbers a 3-2 win at full time. However, they have a poor record when playing away from home. They have won only 2 games away from home all season, against St. Louis City and most recently, against Austin FC. If the Timbers have any intention to win this game, then they must ensure they fight hard to overcome their poor away form. Their last meeting against LA Galaxy ended in a goalless draw back in March.

• Wins in 4 games.
• No losses in 6 games.
• Without a clean sheet in 3 games.
• More than 2.5 goals in 7/8 games.
• Both teams scored in 6/7 games.
• First to score in 5/6 games.
• More than 4.5 cards in 5/7 games.
• Less than 10.5 corners in 6/8 games.

Portland Timbers and LA Galaxy have played 20 matches against each other. LA Galaxy won 6 games, while Portland Timbers won 11 games and 3 games ended in a draw.

• Portland Timbers have not lost in 3 games.
• 8/10 games ended with more than 2.5 goals.
• Both teams scored in 5/6 games.
• 4/5 games ended with more than 4.5 cards.
• 7/8 games ended with less than 10.5 corners.

The Timbers are superior in form but struggle to win away from home. LA Galaxy on the other hand are far from perfect but they are a stubborn bunch when playing at home. I think LA Galaxy will prefer to tread with caution and settle for a draw at least instead of losing. It should be a very close affair between these sides, but I expect LA Galaxy to pick at least a point from this encounter.

• Home Win HT or FT at 1.66 Odds
• Goal up to 25 Minutes Yes at 1.88 Odds
• Over 9 Corners at 1.72 Odds