Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
In the early hours of Saturday, June 14, the MLS regular season will feature a showdown as the Portland Timbers host the San Jose Earthquakes. Kickoff is set for 4:30 a.m. Central European Time, and I'm here to offer my pick for this clash.
Portland Timbers vs San Jose Earthquakes: match facts and head-to-head stats
- Portland are unbeaten at home for nine straight matches: five wins and four draws.
- In their last ten games, San Jose have lost twice, picked up five wins, and drawn three times.
- Portland have conceded in four of their last five matches, while San Jose have scored in three consecutive games.
- San Jose boast the best attack in the Western Conference with 34 goals.
- San Jose have only lost without scoring in 5% of their matches this season, while Portland's figure is 16%.
- San Jose keep more clean-sheet wins: 21% compared to Portland's 16%.
- In the last five head-to-head meetings, San Jose have won twice, Portland three times.
Portland Timbers vs San Jose Earthquakes: match preview
Portland Timbers have firmly established themselves in the playoff zone. The team currently sits fourth in the standings with 29 points from 17 matches. They trail second place by just one point and are six points off the top. The Timbers have won their last two games by identical 2-1 scores. Before that, they went four games without a win: two draws and two defeats. Their gap over tenth place now stands at nine points.
San Jose Earthquakes, meanwhile, are fighting for a playoff berth. The team is eighth with 22 points from 17 rounds. Eighth and ninth place grant the right to play in the play-in matches, but to qualify directly, they need at least seventh. San Jose are just one point off seventh and have a game in hand, which could prove crucial. The gap to tenth is also minimal—just two points. In the previous round, the Earthquakes lost 1-2 to St. Louis, ending an eight-match unbeaten streak.
Probable lineups
- Portland Timbers: Pantemis; Mosquera, Zuparic, E. Miller, Fory; Paredes, Ayala; Moreno, Da Costa, Antony; Kelsey
- San Jose Earthquakes: Edwards; Floriani, Romney, Roberts; Lima, Kei, Fernandez, Pellegrino; Espinoza, Martinez, Buda
Prediction
Portland Timbers look extremely solid at home and, in my view, are capable of overcoming San Jose in this encounter. Without a doubt, the Earthquakes will put up a fight, but I'm backing the hosts to win at odds of 1.83.
