This is a Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps prediction for their upcoming Cascadia Cup clash. The match will take place on Saturday, August 26th, 2023, at Providence Park.
Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Predictions and Best Odds on Saturday
Portland Timbers’ Current Run of Form
Final.@DriveToyota x #RCTID pic.twitter.com/GYm2PYo6f3
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) August 21, 2023
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The Portland Timbers are coming into this game after being embarrassed 5-0 on the road against the Houston Dynamo. The loss was significant enough for the Timbers to swiftly relieve head coach Giovani Savarese of his duties. They have positioned assistant coach Miles Joseph as the interim head coach. The firing of coach Savarese was not entirely undeserved, as the Timbers are currently five points out of a playoff spot in 12th place. If there was ever a time to invoke some change and potentially make a run, now is the time to do so, with just ten games left in Portland’s season. The Timbers’ last five records currently stand at 2-0-3 across both League’s Cup and MLS competition. Their most recent home game saw the team valiantly attack a strong and formidable team in Club Monterrey from Mexico. This match will be remembered as Giovani Savarese’s last home game in charge.
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Run of Form
The Vancouver Whitecaps have been quite pedestrian recently. They too come into this fixture with a 2-0-3 record in their last five across all competitions. Their most recent game was a loss at home against the San Jose Earthquakes, who ground out a 1-0 win. The Vancouver Whitecaps were missing their finishing boots, with the team amassing 17 shots, with eight on target, for a combined 1.7 Expected Goals (xGoals) on the night. This failure to capitalize on their chances may be attributed to their new 3-5-2 shape to fit in new signings Samuel Adekugbe and Richie Laryea as your left and right wingback respectively. It could also be the absence of one Julian Gressel, who was traded from the Whitecaps to the Eastern Conference side Columbus Crew.
READ MORE: Whitecaps Victorious Over Galaxy, Secure Leagues Cup Knockouts
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) August 21, 2023
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Recent Head to Head
This will be the third clash this year between the Cascadia Cup Rivals, who each have a win against each other this season. Vancouver claimed the first win against Portland with a 1-0 victory at home, thanks to a Brian White 74-minute winner. Portland would claim the sequel match, beating the Whitecaps in a 3-1 win at home, with goals provided by Frank Boli in the second-minute and Evander, who scored a pair of goals; one in each half. The all-time record between these two goes in favor of Portland, with a total of 26 wins to Vancouver’s 19, with both teams securing draws in 19 games, for a total of 60 games played between these two rivals across all competitions. That same seven-game gap is still present in MLS competition, with the Timbers leading 17 wins to Vancouver’s 10, and both sides splitting points in eight encounters.
READ MORE: Portland Timbers hold off Vancouver Whitecaps in Cascadia Cup thriller
Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps Prediction
On paper, the quality of players and the style of play heavily benefits the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have been a very entertaining team to follow. However, as mentioned earlier, they are going through a transitional phase. They will commit many numbers into the attack, and it will be up to Portland to prevent being overloaded in those spaces and getting caught during transitional phases of the game. The Timbers will be rebuffed by the return of Diego Chara, who missed last week’s 5-0 loss. He should be key in providing defensive stability to lock down Vancouver.
If Portland can do that, they’ll just need Evander to focus on winning his matchup in the middle of the park against Andres Cubas. Cubas has long been praised for his great passing ability and deep-lying playmaking, but he lacks the defensive ability to clamp a player like Evander, who will be Portland’s creative outlet and a dangerous attacking threat. Portland should be eager to respond to the firing of Savarese, and with the advantage of playing at home, they should do well to secure a victory and propel themselves into a playoff race.
Current Odds: Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps
- Portland Timbers Moneyline +125 1u (Bet365)
- Both Teams to Score: No +150 1u (Bet365)
Photo Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports, of a Dairon Asprilla Headshot and an Ali Ahmed Headshot, on May 13, 2023.
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