Prediction: Portland Timbers vs Chicago Fire

Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw

Best Odds: 13/2

Bookmaker: Zetbet

The Portland Timbers and the Chicago Fire will lock horns with each other in Major League Soccer this week. The match between Giovanni Savarese’s side and Frank Klopas’s team will be held at Providence Park and is scheduled to kick off at 3:30am UK time on Thursday.

Portland Timbers

The Portland Timbers are having a disappointing campaign in Major League Soccer. Giovanni Savarese’s side are as low as ninth in the MLS Western Conference table at the moment with 21 points from 18 matches. They are seven pouts above bottom side, the Colorado Rapids, and eight points behind leasers, St. Louis City FC.

The Timbers will head into the Major League Soccer game against the Chicago Fire at Providence Park on the back of a goalless draw with the San Jose Earthquakes away from home in the league. It came after a 1-0 victory over Dallas in front of their own fans and followed a goalless draw with the Seattle Sounders on the road in Major League Soccer.

Team News:

Felipe Mora (knee), Yimmi Chara (hamstring), David Ayala (knee), Eryk Williamson (knee) and Juan David Mosquera are on the sidelines at the moment and will not play for the Portland Timbers against the Chicago Fire. 

Pablo Bonilla is likely to miss out as well, having not played a first-team match since March due to a hamstring injury.

Franck Boli and Evander will continue in attack for the home team. Zac McGraw and Dario Zuparic should be the two central defenders for Giovanni Savarese’s team.

Chicago Fire

Like the Portland Timbers, the Chicago Fire are having a bad campaign in Major League Soccer Eastern Conference as well. Frank Klopas’s side are as low as 14th in the league table at the moment with 17 points from 17 matches. They are just two points above bottom team Inter Miami CF and as many as 23 points behind leaders FC Cincinnati.

The Chicago Fire will head into the Major League Soccer match against the Portland Timbers on the back of a 2-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew at home in the league. It came after a 4-1 hammering to the Houston Dynamo in front of their own fans in MLS.

Team News:

Carlos Teran (leg) and Chris Mueller (leg) will not play for the Chicago Fire against the Portland Timbers away from home in Major League Soccer.

Miguel Navarro is back in action for the visiting team. Former Liverpool and Inter Milan winger Xherdan Shaqiri will continue to operate behind lone striker Kei Kamara.

Arnaud Souquet, Mauricio Pineda and Rafael Czichos will likely operate in defence, with Maren Haile-Selassie and Miguel Navarro occupying the wing-back roles.

Key Factors to Consider

• The Portland Timbers have scored 20 goals in 18 Major League Soccer Western Conference matches this season.
• The Portland Timbers have conceded 24 goals in 18 Major League Soccer Western Conference matches this season.
• The Chicago Fire have scored 22 goals in 17 Major League Soccer Eastern Conference matches this campaign.
• The Chicago Fire have conceded 27 goals in 17 Major League Soccer Eastern Conference matches this campaign.
• The Portland Timbers have won 5 out of 18 Major League Soccer Western Conference matches this season.

Conclusion

Neither The Portland Timbers nor The Chicago Fire have been particularly great this season, and it is unlikely that the Major League Soccer game between the two teams will be great. The two teams do not score much and are also vulnerable at the back. It is very likely that the match will end in a draw.

Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw

Best Odds: 13/2

Bookmaker: Zetbet