Portland Timbers 5/4 to score over 1.5 goals against Real Salt Lake in Thursday’s MLS contest

Competition: MLS

Market: Portland to score over 1.5 goals

Odds: 5/4 @ 888sport

With a golden chance to potentially climb to the top of the Western Conference, a high-flying Portland will travel to a downbeat Rio Tinto Stadium in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Starting with the hosts, putting in what some around Rio Tinto Stadium are branding a season-worst display last time out, Real Salt Lake threw away the lead and were hit with an extremely worrying 2-1 defeat at the hands of Vancouver. Knowing that they could end Thursday’s fixtures sat firmly at the foot of the Western Conference, Head Coach Freddy Juarez finds his side in the midst of an extended blip. Managing to muster just a single point over any of their last four MLS contests on the spin, Claret and Cobalt also have a growing reputation for their rather glaring issues at the back. On a three-match losing run, their worst run of the season so far, Salt Lake once again shipped a pair of strikes against the Whitecaps last time out and have now shipped over 1.5 goals in each of their previous three consecutive defeats.

As for the visitors, while Salt Lake might be in a real battle at the foot of the Western Conference, Portland have only continued on what has been a stunning purple patch since returning to action. Knowing that they could close Thursday’s fixtures sat at the top of the Western Conference, the former champions put in what was another free-scoring display last time out. Managing to pick up what turned out to be a routine 3-0 romp against the Earthquakes, Giovanni Savarese’s men find themselves in the midst of a glittering five-match winning run and the mood in their camp is certainly at a red-hot high. Scoring an outstanding 17 goals on their most recent purple patch, there is no doubt that Portland will be looking to make a similar statement on their travels. Bagging four strikes when they last faced off against Salt Lake, we’re backing another fruitful trip for Portland in midweek.

Bet: Portland Timbers 5/4 to score over 1.5 goals against Real Salt Lake in Thursday’s MLS contest @ 888sport