<\/p>\n
| Saturday, July 9<\/th>\n | MLS Betting Notes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n |
|---|---|
| Seattle Sounders:<\/td>\n | -125<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Portland Timbers:<\/td>\n | +290<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Draw:<\/td>\n | +275<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Total:<\/td>\n | 2.75 Goals (Odds Above Courtesy of DraftKings)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Game Time:<\/td>\n | 4:30pm ET \/ 1:30pm PT<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nSeattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers Analysis<\/h2>\nAfter a slow start to the season, Seattle has begun to climb the Western Conference table and currently sit in seventh place, occupying the final playoff spot while Portland remains on the outside looking in, three points back of the Sounders.<\/p>\n The rivalry between these two sides is one of the biggest in the sport, thanks to the recent success of both teams, who have combined to win three of the last seven MLS Cups, as well as Portland winning the MLS is Back tournament.<\/p>\n The Wily Veteran Timbers<\/h3>\nWhile Portland is getting younger each year, they still support some of the most veteran players in the league including Sebastian Blanco (34), Diego Chara (36), Yimmi Chara (31) and Dairon Asprilla leading the way. That experience has proven to go a long way in grinding out results even when underlying numbers don\u2019t look promising.<\/p>\n Portland is giving up far too many goals, 29 so far on the season, with only two teams allowing more in the Conference, but on the flip side, they have scored 29 also, with only two teams scoring more. The Timbers remain outside the playoff picture because of their defense and the fact that they have settled for a Conference leading eight draws through 19 matches.<\/p>\n However, their defense has improved this season, at least according to xG, as they have allowed 1.50 xGA per game which is right in the middle of the pack, ranking No. 16 of 28 teams. Compare that to the last two years where they ranked dead last allowing 1.82 and 1.84 xGA.<\/p>\n Yet somehow, they made it all the way to the MLS Cup Final last year, losing to NYCFC on penalties, and finished the regular season ranked #3 in the West in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, while also winning the MLS is Back tournament that year. That all comes from experience of knowing how to win.<\/p>\n Portland is also in solid form, unbeaten in their last four games including two away draws at very good Nashville and LA Galaxy sides.<\/p>\n CONCACAF’s Effect on Seattle<\/h3>\nBe wary if you are only looking at Seattle\u2019s season-long numbers. The Sounders made history earlier this season becoming the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions League in its modern format, but it came at the expense of league results. While that competition was going on, Seattle had won just two of their first eight MLS matches with a -0.63 xG differential per game.<\/p>\n (For your future early-season MLS betting advice, a general rule of thumb for MLS teams that participate in the CONCACAF Champions League is to fade them in league play, as they just don\u2019t have the squad depth needed to manage two competitions like the big teams in Europe.)<\/p>\n But since that slow league start, they have since won six of their last nine games to climb back into a playoff position (which they should easily qualify for come end of the season,) and have a +0.55 xG differential per game.<\/p>\n |
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