Columbus Crew vs Portland Timbers Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Preview

Columbus Crew finally managed a first win of the season after a 2-0 success over DC United. Federico Higuain’s penalty in the 38th minute opened the scoring, while Columbus Crew doubled their advantage through yet another penalty in the second-half. Ola Kamara scored the second penalty in the 66th minute. Portland Timbers excellent start to the season continued with a 4-2 win over Houston Dynamo. Portland were trailing at half-time after goals from Erick Torres and Rommel Quioto cancelled out Diego Valeri’s penalty. However, second-half goals from Valeri, David Guzman, and Fanendo Adi preserved Portland’s 100% record this season. Here we have our SBAT match preview with all the best predictions, betting tips and match stats.

Portland Timbers have managed just one win at the MAPFRE Stadium in their four visits. Even though the club has started with a 100% record, the club have had two of their three games at home. They did manage a win over LA Galaxy, but it was when the home team were reduced to 10 men. I would back Columbus Crew to continue their excellent home run. Just one of the last five meetings between the two clubs has seen one or both teams fail to scored. Despite managing just one win this season, Columbus Crew have scored in all of their games. Portland Timbers have scored a remarkable 10 goals in the three games. I would back both teams to score.

Columbus Crew win – 1/1

Both teams to score – 4/7

Columbus Crew’s first win of the season gives them massive confidence, but surprisingly, it came on the road. The club struggled with regard to away games last season after managing only wins in 17 matches. They seem to have preserved their best for games at the MAPFRE Stadium, although it was not sufficient enough to earn a play-off spot. Ola Kamara has scored in his last two games, and his form will be key to the club this season. Coach Gregg Berhalter will be rubbing his hands at the prospect of facing back-to-back games at home, where the club suffered only three defeats in the 2016 regular season.

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Portland Timbers have displayed the kind of form that saw them win the 2015 MLS Cup final. Caleb Porter has seen his team open the campaign with three successive wins, but he will be disappointed with a return of one clean sheet in these three games. A major positive for the club, though, is the attack featuring Diego Valeri and Fanendo Adi. Both players have made incredible starts to the campaign with four and three goals respectively. Even though there are some key absentees due to international action, Portland Timbers do have plenty of strength in depth.

Jukka Raitala is away on international duty, while Gaston Sauro (knee), Dilly Duka (calf), and Waylon Francis (shoulder) are unavailable.

David Guzman and Darlington Nagbe are unavailable due to internationals. Gbenga Arokoyo (Achilles), Liam Ridgewell (foot), and Vytas (calf) are unavailable due to injuries.