Football match preview: Vancouver Whitecaps vs Portland Timbers

Both teams have had plenty of rest since their last game. Let's agree to expect an active game!

Vancouver Whitecaps form and stats

Vancouver Whitecaps have played 11 Major League Soccer games at their own stadium so far this season, resulting in 6-2-3 (wins-draws-losses). Vancouver haven’t lost a league-game in ten attempts regardless of arena, a great achievement. Their last loss was the fixture versus Real Salt Lake, 65 days ago.

Vancouver Whitecaps's previous game was a Major League Soccer match also played at home, ending 2-1 versus Austin (placed 12th). The home side are looking to build on that result. Ryan Gauld (midfield was the top team player in that game with a rating of 8.1/10. Gauld hit the woodwork once, hit two key passes, dribled passed the opponent 3 of 3 times and had 29 successful passes (of 34 total). Manager V. Sartini felt very clever after Déiber Caicedo scored the winning goal against Austin, having brought on that player as a substitute in the 46th minute.

Before that, Vancouver had a home game versus Real Salt Lake which ended with a victory 4-1.

The home team are moderate favourites in this game. How does Vancouver handle that role? We have found six games in our database similar to this one, based on the home odds. The stats for these games are four wins, one draw and one defeat.

Vancouver are certainly not overdoing their scoring at home in league matches, having created 16 goals in 11 games. It's worth mentioning that 8 of these goals has been scored in their last three home matches. Vancouver's goalkeeper has had to pick the ball out of their own net 13 times. For more goal stats, check the Statistics tab above.

Portland Timbers form and stats

There's been little loot from Portland Timbers's travels as they have only collected 11 points from 12 away games in the Major League Soccer. Portland Timbers only have 3 wins to counter their 7 defeats and 2 draws. Momentum is building for Portland Timbers in their away games, having won their two previous outings.

The Portland goalkeeper Steve Clark is collecting clean sheets like a laundry worker. It's been 241 league minutes without conceding a goal, and counting.

Two travels in a row for Portland, whose manager G. Savarese could celebrate last time after the Major League Soccer win against Houston Dynamo. Steve Clark (goalkeeper) was the best performer with a rating of 8.34. Clark stopped the opponent with six saves and topped it up with a clean sheet. Goalkeeper Steve Clark was absolutely vital in the Portland Timbers victory against Houston Dynamo, making six saves.

Prior to that result Portland won their away game at Seattle Sounders. The scoreline was 2-0.

We have checked recent matches where Portland have had similar odds to win. Win-draw-lose statistics from those 13 games were six victories, three draws and four defeats.

Portland are scoring more than one goal per away game on average, having accumulated 14 away goals from 12 games (in the league). The Portland Timbers manager G. Savarese has some worries about the defense as 24 goals have been conceded in these travels.

Head 2 Head

This duo encountered each other earlier on this season: Vancouver Whitecaps - Portland Timbers 1-0. H2H stats regardless of arena (last ten matches): Vancouver Whitecaps four wins, zero draws and Portland Timbers six victories. As for goals, six matches ended with three or more goals (over 2,5), four games had two or less.

Top Goalscorers

F. Mora Aliaga 9 goals

C. Dájome Arboleda 8 goals

D. Asprilla Rivas 5 goals

Vancouver Whitecaps missing players

Portland Timbers missing players