H2H: Sporting Kansas City vs. Portland Timbers – Score prediction (29.09.2019)

Overview.

Sporting Kansas City (Sporting KC) are missing the postseason for the first time since 2010, but have revenge on their minds, after a recent defeat at Portland effectively ended their campaign. They remain one of the worst second-half teams in the MLS, with a post-interval goal difference of -15. Sporting KC have also converted just nine of 19 opening goals into victory. However, they more than compensate in the opening exchanges, especially at home, with Sporting KC yet to concede inside the opening 15 minutes at home this MLS season.

Curiously, Portland Timbers are currently one of just a few franchises to have collected more points in their last four MLS away games than their last four at home. However, H2H history suggests an initial struggle, as the away side on the day has registered a first-half goal in just one of the last 13 mutual clashes.
Significantly, the Timbers have scored first on the road only five times this MLS season – but are the only franchise with a perfect record after doing so. On the flip side, they have lost on eight of 11 occasions when failing to do so away.

Match Info and Score Prediction.

Competition: USA MLS
Kick off: 29.09.2019, 23:30 UTC.
Venue: Children’s Mercy Park (Kansas City).
Referee: Chapman A. (Usa).

Sporting Kansas City	Draw	Portland Timbers

Quick Facts.

Sporting KC’s Johnny Russell has cemented his status as a home ground bully recently, with goals or assists in three of his last five home appearances.

Sporting KC have netted the opening goal in each of their last four league losses.

A key player in the Timbers’ success, Jeremy Ebobisse has earned points (W6, D2) from each of the last eight MLS occasions in which he has scored.

Portland have not strung together three identical results (W/D/L) since early May.

Referee Allen Chapman’s average of 4.04 yellow cards per game is well above the league average.

Pre-match League Table.

Live Scores