The Portland Timbers and the Los Angeles Galaxy are currently tied with 25 points in the competitive Western Conference. Taking the full three points of this match will be crucial to avoid the rest of the league from catching up. Who takes this big-time showdown between two of the best teams in the conference? Read on for a breakdown of this crucial Western clash.
Major League Baseball is also in full swing. Check out the complete previews for the Dodgers vs. Cubs and Athletics vs. Rangers.
[sc:Soccer ]Portland Timbers vs. Los Angeles Galaxy Preview
Where: StubHub Center, Carson, CA
When: Wednesday, June 24, 11:00 PM ET
Line: Portland Timbers at Los Angeles Galaxy – view all MLS lines
Betting on the Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers are rolling into StubHub Center on a four match win streak. The Timbers have conceded just once while on their streak, outscoring their opposition 7-1. The Argentine striking pair of Maximiliano Urruti and Gaston Fernandez were under the spotlight in Portland’s last match, a 2-0 win over Houston on Sunday. The two have now combined to score five goals this season.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The two Argentinians aren’t the only big-time scorers for Portland. Fanendo Adi leads the Timbers with six goals this season. Having three capable, fast scorers on the pitch makes Portland very dangerous against a Los Angeles team which struggles defending against counterattacks.
The Timbers also have a couple of facilitators on the backline and midfield. Jorge Villafana is an excellent playmaker from left back with a team-high three assists. Rodney Wallace could also facilitate the attack from left midfield with two assists this season.
The Timbers are unbeaten in five of their last six matches against Los Angeles (two wins and three draws).
Betting on the Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy got a much needed break in a 5-1 blowout of Philadelphia. The victory snapped their 0-1-2 winless streak in June.
Baggio Husidic scored the opener and assisted in Juninho’s goal in the first half. Gyasi Zardes, Stefan Ishizaki and Sebastian Lletget each netted a goal after the break in a showcase of the Galaxy’s high-powered attack.
The Galaxy were at their best with Zardes and Robbie Keane starting up front for the first time since April. Having their two best strikers threatening the opposition should serve to open up Los Angeles’ other goal-scorers. Omar Gonzalez, Alan Gordon, Bradford Jamieson and Ignacio Maganto are four other Galaxy players to have scored a goal this season. Gordon, in particular, is tied with Zardes with a team-high four goals.
The Galaxy will be at their best if they can control possession in Portland’s half. Their depth all across the field should help them space out the Timbers’ defense to net an all-important goal.
Los Angeles’ excellent home form should also help. The Galaxy are 6-1-2 in nine games at StubHub Center this season, outscoring their opponents 14-5.
Writer’s Prediction
The Galaxy win 2-1. Create a betting account now and get into the hottest soccer action rocking the country.
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