Portland Timbers v Chicago Fire Predictions, Betting Tips and Previews

Thursday July 6 –  Providence Park, Portland -MLS

Struggling Portland host Chicago on Thursday, with the Oregon side desperate for points following a dismal run of form in recent weeks.

Past Meetings

Hosts Portland do have a slight edge over Chicago in their recent meetings, winning two of their last five MLS meetings, with the other three all ending in draws. In fact Chicago have never beaten Portland in MLS action.

Team News

Both teams are suffering with injury problems ahead of this meeting, but Portland are down to their bare bones following an injury crisis.

Former English Football league players Liam Ridgewell and Jack Barmby are both out with ankle and thigh injuries respectively.

Defensive pair Amobi Okugo and Gbenga Arokoyo are both sidelined through injuries, with the former out for the rest of the season with achilles ligament damage.

However three players are all awaiting the results of fitness test on hamstring injuries, with Diego Chara, Darlington Nagbe and Chance Myers all being given up to the last minute to prove their fitness.

Chicago are still without first choice goal keeper Jorge Bava, who remains out with an elbow problem. His absence means a continued run in goal for Matt Lampson.

Midfielder John Goossens is out for the remainder of the campaign after undergoing ankle surgery and striker David Arshakyan is not yet ready for a first team return return after an ankle problem of his own.

Portland Timbers v Chicago Fire Preview and Predictions

Portland’s form has been awful in recent outings, without a win in their last five in all competitions.

On the other hand, Chicago are top of the Eastern Conference, following an 11-game unbeaten run stretching back to May. This impressive run of form put Chicago in an excellent to end their winless hoodoo against Portland, and an away victory is priced at 11/5.

Chicago have been excellent in front of goal recently as well, netting ten goals in their last three MLS games, and they should make easy work of a depleted Portland defence, an over 2.5 goals bet is priced at 4/6.

Recommended Bets

Chicago to win 2-0 at 16/1

Despite the narrow advantage of playing at home, Chicago should easily navigate their way past Portland and extend their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference.

David Accam to score anytime at 15/8

Ghanaian striker Accam has been excellent for Chicago this season, leading their goal scoring charts with 10 goals, including five goals in his last five MLS games.