Major League Soccer preview: Can Portland Timbers edge out victory against Sporting KC?

It’s busy days for these teams as both were in action only a few days ago. There’s no rest for the wicked, or in this case; no rest for Portland Timbers and Sporting KC.

This pitch has artificial turf, which is not Sporting KC's usual surface at their own ground. When playing on artificial turf Sporting KC have performed like this: Played nine matches resulting in 3 wins, 1 draw and 5 defeats with the goal stats 12-10 (scored/conceded). Everyone involved with the away team has to get their travel gear ready for this match as there's a whopping 2800 kilometers to cover before arriving at the match.

Portland Timbers form and stats

Portland Timbers have collected 23 points from their Major League Soccer home games so far after 7-2-3. The opportunity of a proper winning streak is there for the hosts, with two straight wins here at Providence Park.

Portland Timbers's previous game was a Major League Soccer match also played at home, ending 2-1 versus Sporting KC (placed 9th). The home side are looking to build on that result. Before that game, the 1-0 home victory against Real Salt Lake.

The hosts are modest favourites in this match, with the bookmakers estimating the chance of a home win at about 50% +- five percent. It's interesting to look at how Portland Timbers have performed under similar circumstances, so here are some numbers: When modest favourites like this (we found six games) they have won 5 times, drawn 0 and lost 1.

The Portland Timbers manager G. Savarese has got the team scoring with 24 from 12 home games in the league. Portland Timbers's goalkeeper has had to pick the ball out of their own net 14 times. For more goal stats, check the Statistics tab above.

Sporting KC form and stats

Sporting KC have only collected 13 points from their away games in the Major League Soccer, after 3-4-7 (14 played). Sporting KC has lost their two previous away games and are eager to kill a negative trend in its infancy.

Two away games in a row for Sporting KC, who will hope to get a better result in this one after losing 1-2 versus Portland Timbers in the Major League Soccer. That result followed a home victory 1-0 versus Houston Dynamo.

Sporting KC are the outsiders in this one, but not by much. Their performance in similar games (being the away team and moderate outsiders) is 1 win, 1 draw and 5 defeats. From a total of seven matches.

Sporting KC have scored 16 goals on their travels this season, from 14 away games in the league. Sporting KC have conceded 22 goals in these games.

Head 2 Head

This is the result when the teams met earlier this season; Portland Timbers - Sporting KC 2-1. Head-to-head totals (for the last ten meetings): Portland Timbers won 5 games, 3 matches ended with a draw and Sporting KC has 2 wins. Over 2,5 goals / under 2,5 goals: 6 / 4

Top Goalscorers

B. Fernández 11 goals / 1 assists

F. Gutiérrez 10 goals / 1 assists

J. Ebobisse 9 goals / 1 assists

Portland Timbers missing players

Sporting KC missing players