Preview：USA Major League Soccer -- Austin FC VS Portland Timbers
USA Major League Soccer - Austin FC VS Portland Timbers
Match Time: 02-07-2021 07:00 Friday
Livescore | Match Preview| 1x2 Odds| Match Analysis & Tips
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Match Preview
In this round of USA Major League Soccer, Austin FC VS Portland Timbers at home.The expansion Austin FC have been a joy to watch if you like the technical side of the game and all of the build-up that goes along with it.However, if you prefer lots of goals, they might not be for you, as they are scoreless in three consecutive matches and have been shut out of seven of their 11 games.The traditional 4-3-3 formation employed by their manager Josh Wolff has seen this expansion side create plenty of opportunities, but they lack an established number nine striker who can finish off those chances.With the Secondary Transfer Window set to open on July 7, Wolff has said that their priority is to sign a striker that he hopes can fit right in and provide some offensive punch to the lowest-scoring team in MLS at the moment.Even though they are second from the bottom in the Western Conference, they are a formidable side giving experienced squads all they can handle, losing only twice against the top four teams in their conference in five encounters thus far.Last week before a sell-out crowd in the Texas capital, they were stride for stride with the reigning MLS Cup champions, the Columbus Crew, out possessing them 57% to 43% and out shooting them 17-15 in a 0-0 draw.Portland Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during stoppage time on June 24, 2021
The MLS is Back Tournament winners have lacked consistency in 2021, stringing together consecutive victories once, yet managing to stay afloat and in a playoff position because they have only lost successive matches once, losing their first two league games in May.Portland have been hit hard by injuries, with several key figures currently on the sidelines and this week, they had to deal with an unfortunate situation after it was reported that a racial slur was apparently uttered at their midfielder Diego Chara last Saturday.Manager Giovanni Savarese and his side were outraged about the alleged incident, which MLS is currently investigating, but now the Venezuelan will hope that this situation does not serve as a distraction to his team, who are looking for some breathing room in a very tight Western Conference.Savarese will see their first couple of games in July as an excellent opportunity to move up the standings, facing Austin, who are currently 11th in the west and then hosting Dallas, who are only slightly ahead of the Verde-and-Black on goal difference.This team have not only had to deal with injury issues and off-field problems, but they are missing some key offensive contributors because of the Copa America happening right now in Brazil, which seems to have affected their rhythm offensively.The lack of attacking threats has been evident since the end of May, as they have failed to register more than four shots on target in their last four matches.
Austin FC possible starting lineup:Stuver; Jimenez, Kleemann, Besler, Kolmanic; Pereira, Ring, Pochettino; Redes, Dominguez, Gallagher
Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:Clark; Van Rankin, Mabiala, Zuparic, Bravo; D. Chara, Tuiloma, Zambrano; Williamson, Valeri; Ebobisse
Odds Analysis
The bet365 1x2 first odds of this game are 2.10-3.40-3.40,the 1x2 live odds are 2.05-3.60-3.30.And the Kelly Criterion is 0.91-0.98-0.94.Therefore, Austin FC will win in this game.
Goalooin Prediction:
Austin FC (45.65%)
Draw (25.99%)
Portland Timbers (28.36%)
