Bitesize Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps vs Portland Timbers – 24/10/24

Competition: MLS Play-Offs

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 2/3 @ 1xBet

Two sides getting their MLS play-off adventure in the early hours of Thursday, Vancouver will host Portland.

Starting with Vancouver, while the Whitecaps might have dragged themselves to a play-off ticket this season, Vanni Sartini’s men limped their way over the finishing line in the midst of a public struggle. Signing off their regular-season campaign with a dramatic late collapse away at Real Salt Lake as they eventually fell to a 2-1 loss, they lost all of their final four MLS appearances by an aggregate score of 8-2. Opening October with a nightmare performance as they suffered a 3-0 drumming at the hands of Seattle, Vancouver have failed to win any of their previous eight consecutive matchups across all competitions within 90 minutes. Desperately seeking a much-needed boost as they get their play-off adventure underway in the early hours of Thursday, Sartini will certainly have a major headache over his side’s extended defensive issues. Including an action-packed 4-2 defeat away at LA Galaxy last month, the Whitecaps have failed to muster a single MLS clean sheet over the past five weeks.

As for Portland, only just about snatching a play-off return this season, the Timbers find themselves in an almost identical position to Thursday’s opponents. Last seen playing out a 1-1 stalemate away at Seattle, Phil Neville’s men failed to win any of their final five consecutive MLS appearances. Likewise, registering just a pair of wins from any of their previous 10 matchups across all competitions, the former Inter Miami boss has come under some real scrutiny this year. Despite claiming what was a dramatic 4-2 victory against LA Galaxy last month, the Oregon-based outfit have also shown their own defensive struggles. Including an action-packed 3-3 draw against Real Salt Lake on September 22nd, Portland have recorded just a single MLS clean sheet since the start of September. Two sides who finished their regular-season campaign only separated by their goal difference, we could be set for an enjoyable play-off opener in the early hours of Thursday.

Bet: Both teams to score at Vancouver Whitecaps vs Portland Timbers 2/3 for Thursday’s MLS play-off showdown @ 1xBet