Bitesize Prediction: Portland Timbers vs San Jose Earthquakes – 21/09/23

Competition: MLS

Market: Portland Timbers win

Odds: 4/5 @ 1xBet

Looking to extend on their recent purple patch in midweek, Portland will welcome San Jose to Providence Park in the early hours of Thursday.

Starting with the hosts, while Portland might still be scrapping it out in their bid to claim another play-off ticket this season, the Timbers are enjoying a real purple patch. Last seen over the weekend putting in another eye-catching performance as they landed a 2-1 win away at Austin, interim boss Miles Joseph should find the mood in his camp at a real high. Laying down a major MLS marker earlier in the month as they claimed a 2-0 victory at home against Los Angeles, the Oregon-based outfit will be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here. Signing off August with a 2-1 win against Real Salt Lake, Portland have collected 10 points from their previous four MLS showdowns. Really bouncing back from their extended wobble last season, Joseph’s temporary squad will also be excited by their continued success on home soil. Including back-to-back victories, it should be highlighted that the Timbers have won four of their last five contests in front of their own supporters.

As for the visitors, while San Jose might have made a crucial return to winning ways last weekend as they claimed a 2-1 win at home against RSL, it is fair to say that the Earthquakes are seeking some recent stability. Signing off August with an action-packed 3-2 loss at home against LA Galaxy, Luchi Gonzalez’s men have claimed just a single victory from their previous five MLS showdowns. Facing what looks set to be a tough test in Oregon here, fans around PayPal Park will be concerned by their side’s extended issues on the road. Including a routine 3-0 drumming when they travelled to Sporting Kansas City last month, it should be noted that San Jose have won just one of their last eight showdowns outside of California – a run that stems back to June 1st. Likewise, hit with a 2-0 defeat when they last travelled to Providence Park for an MLS showdown on July 23rd, Gonzalez’s side have lost each of their previous three trips to Portland by an aggregate score of 6-1.

Bet: Portland Timbers 4/5 to beat San Jose Earthquakes in Thursday’s MLS matchup @ 1xBet