Portland Timbers (10-9-11) vs. Colorado Rapids (4-10-14)
Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids 09/23/23 – Soccer enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Major League Soccer showdown set for Saturday, September 23, 2023, as the Portland Timbers take on the Colorado Rapids. With a current standing of 10-9-11, the Timbers are eager to secure a significant victory on their home turf at Providence Park. Meanwhile, the beleaguered Colorado Rapids, holding a less flattering 4-10-14 record, aim to defy expectations. The action kicks off at 10:30 PM ET and will be available for viewing on ATV.
The Timbers have been bolstered by the outstanding form of their dynamic midfielder, Evander, who has racked up an impressive 9 goals and 4 assists so far this season. Alongside him, forwards Franck Boli and Dairon Asprilla have been key contributors to the attacking front, adding 6 and 5 goals, respectively, to the team’s score sheet. They will be players to watch closely during the match.
On the other hand, Colorado’s performance this season has been less than stellar, evidenced by their record. Their leading scorer, Cole Bassett, has managed a modest 4 goals, underscoring the team’s challenges upfront. Additionally, defender Lalas Abubakar and forward Kevin Cabral have each netted just 2 goals, and their inconsistency has further complicated matters for a team already struggling to find its footing. For free winning soccer picks, continue reading our analysis.
Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids 09/23/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Providence Park |
| TV: | ATV |
| Stream | N/A |
Portland Timbers GK Aljaz Ivacic vs. Colorado Rapids GK William Yarbrough
Aljaz Ivacic has been the guardian of Portland’s net for 15 games this season. Despite a moderate 3 clean sheets, Ivacic has showcased agility with a tally of 56 saves. However, he’s also conceded 26 goals, a stat line that reveals some inconsistency. While Ivacic has certainly had his moments of brilliance, with cat-like reflexes and key saves in critical situations, there are instances where the defense in front of him has been porous, putting added pressure on him to perform. His role will be crucial if the Timbers want to secure a home win and build on their positive season record.
On the other side, William Yarbrough has proven to be a stalwart for the Colorado Rapids, even in a challenging season for the team. With 21 starts, Yarbrough has recorded an impressive 7 clean sheets and made 67 saves, indicating a tendency to keep his team in games even when the outfield play is lacking. Despite conceding 25 goals, many of these can be attributed to defensive lapses rather than goalkeeping errors. Yarbrough’s experience and composure make him a formidable opponent, and if the Rapids aim to pull off an upset, his performance between the posts will be key.
Soccer Odds/Point Spread: Portland Timbers -123, Total Odds: 2.5
The odds strongly favor the Portland Timbers, with a Moneyline of -123 and a spread of -1 (+210). The Colorado Rapids are clearly the underdogs with a Moneyline of +340 and a spread of +1 (+100). The total for the match is set at 2.5, with the over at -154 and the under at +120.
Portland Timbers Betting Trends
The Portland Timbers have been in good form lately, boasting a 2-1 record in their last 5 games. Impressively, they are 5-0 against the spread in those games. In terms of road games, they have a respectable 9-6 record against the spread. Additionally, the totals have gone OVER in 3 of their last 5 games and in 9 of their last 15 home games, indicating a likelihood for a high-scoring affair.
Colorado Rapids Betting Trends
Colorado Rapids have found the going tough, with a 1-3 record in their last 5 games. They are 2-3 against the spread during this period. On the road, the Rapids have a 6-8 record against the spread. In terms of totals, the OVER has hit in 3 of their last 5 games and 6 of their last 14 home games, suggesting a bit of volatility in their matches.
Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids 09/23/23 Betting Picks
Based on recent form, team statistics, and betting trends, the Portland Timbers seem poised for a win, especially at their home ground. Their attacking prowess should give them the edge over a struggling Colorado Rapids side that has been inconsistent at both ends of the pitch.
For those looking to place a bet, the Portland Timbers at a Moneyline of -123 seems like the safe choice. Considering the strong tendency for high-scoring matches for the Timbers, especially at home, the Over 2.5 at odds of -154 may also be an attractive bet. For free winning sports picks and more betting insights, keep an eye on these prop bets for an added layer of excitement to the game.
Free Pick and Prediction: Portland Timbers 2, Colorado Rapids 1