Major League Soccer preview: Can Real Salt Lake edge out victory against Portland Timbers?

These are full days for the team playing at home, as they played only four days ago in the Major League Soccer. This match was also played here at Rio Tinto Stadium. With two consecutive home games the intense schedule is somewhat softened. Still, Portland Timbers have had more rest.

12 - 6 - 15 with 51-53. What does this mean? Well, these are the statistics for Portland Timbers when playing on grass like they will do today. Wins - draws- losses and goals scored-conceded. Portland Timbers play their home games on artifical turf so that's why we provide these numbers.

Everyone involved with the away team has to get their travel gear ready for this match as there's a whopping 1200 kilometers to cover before arriving at the match.

Real Salt Lake form and stats

Real Salt Lake are steadily winning Major League Soccer games and points here at Rio Tinto Stadium. 9 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats is the summary from 14 games.

The Real Salt Lake crowd went home unhappy last time out, seeing their beloved players lose 3-4 to SJ Earthquakes here at Rio Tinto Stadium in a Major League Soccer match. A goal frenzy last time out for Real Salt Lake, with a total of 7 goals in the match against SJ Earthquakes. Fun stuff to watch! The gifted forward Albert Rusnák outdid all the other players in that match and got a match rating of 8.82 out of 10. Rusnák scored two goals, hit one key pass and had 42 successful passes (of 52 total).

A strong away win before that one, visiting Dallas and winning 2-1.

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 Real Salt Lake have performed under similar circumstances, so here are some numbers: When modest favourites like this (we found 15 games) they have won seven times, drawn five and lost three.

There's a new game coming up fairly quickly for Salt as they are travelling to their away game against Sporting KC in the Major League Soccer. That match is four days after this one.

Real Salt Lake have proved capable of finding the net in their games here at Rio Tinto Stadium with 26 goals in 14 league matches. 14 goals have been conceded.

Portland Timbers form and stats

The story so far for the visiting team on their Major League Soccer travels is 5 wins, 2 draws and 7 defeats. The travelling fans think it's time that their travel expenses are covered with some points now, as Portland have lost on their last two travels.

Portland Timbers had fun at their own home (Rio Tinto Stadium) last time out, beating SJ Earthquakes 2-0. Dairon Asprilla and Yimmi Chará scored. Steve Clark was the team player of the game with the player rating of 8.4. The agile goalkeeper Clark stopped the opponent with five saves and topped it up with a clean sheet.

Prior to that match, the Portland manager G. Savarese faced defeat when travelling to Colorado Rapids and losing 0-2.

We have checked recent matches where Portland have had similar odds to win. Win-draw-lose statistics from those 14 games were six victories, three draws and five defeats.

A quick return to home after this game, as Portland are hosting Austin in the Major League Soccer only four days away.

Portland have a decent goal production going in their away games, although not fantastic. In 14 league away games 18 goals have been scored. Defensive performances away have varied in quality as Portland have conceded 24 goals on the road. For more goal statistics, check out the Statistics tab above.

Head 2 Head

The duelists have fought earlier this season: Portland Timbers - Salt 6-1. H2H stats regardless of arena (last ten matches): Salt two wins, one draw and Portland Timbers seven victories. As for goals, nine matches ended with three or more goals (over 2,5), one game had two or less.

Top Goalscorers

D. Kreilach 15 goals

F. Mora Aliaga 11 goals

A. Rusnák 10 goals

Real Salt Lake missing players

Portland Timbers missing players