Portland will be looking to avoid a third successive defeat when they welcome Minnesota United FC to Providence Park for their latest MLS fixture this weekend.

PTFC enter this clash off the back of a 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake in front of their fans, while the visitors lost 1-0 to LAFC in their last outing, a defeat which ended their four-game unbeaten streak.

Match preview

In the aftermath of their 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake in their last outing, their fourth defeat in Major League fixtures, Portland slipped from fifth to sixth in the Western Conference standings.

However, they are still firmly in contention for a play-off spot as the regular season gradually approaches the business end.

Nevertheless, Phil Neville will be concerned about the lack of consistency that has plagued his side, managing only four points in their last five exertions.

Having recorded nine wins, seven draws and six losses across 22 matches, Neville will be pleased with their performance in the current season, considering that they have failed to finish higher than eighth in the past three seasons.

Looking to get back to winning ways, Rose City can count on their strong home record, which saw them string together a 10-game unbeaten run before their latest setback against Real Salt Lake, the last time they played at Providence Park.

When these two sides met in June 2024, Portland ran out 3-2 winners, and they will be hoping for a repeat of that outcome this weekend to bolster their chances of making it to the playoffs.

Unlike the hosts, Minnesota United have been one of the more consistent teams this season.

But they will head into this clash off the back of a 1-0 loss suffered against Los Angeles FC, a defeat which snapped their four-game unbeaten run, which included three victories.

Currently third in the West with 40 points, two places and a couple of points behind leaders San Diego, the Black and Blue will have their sights set on moving to the zenith of the standings.

Despite the loss on Thursday, the visitors boast one of the best records on the road, having won five of their 11 fixtures away from home, with other results being four draws and two defeats.

Their away form is made more significant by the fact that they are unbeaten in their last four fixtures away from their turf, and they scored at least two goals in three of those fixtures.

Defensively, the visiting side have been breached 26 times so far, a tally which makes them the side with the fourth-best defence in the West.

Portland Timbers MLS Playoffs form:

Portland Timbers form (all competitions):

Minnesota United MLS Playoffs form:

Minnesota United form (all competitions):

Team News

Antony was not in action in his side’s last outing, and he will be on the sidelines once again this weekend, as he is currently on the mend from a hamstring injury.

Canadian Zac McGraw is another player who is expected to miss out on Sunday’s fixture due to a lower back problem.

Similarly, Jonathan Rodriguez is battling a lower-body injury, and as such, he will not be a part of Neville’s plan.

As for the visitors, the Loons were without Wessel Speel, who is currently recuperating from a shoulder injury, while Jeong Ho-yeon watched proceedings from the sidelines as a result of a knee issue.

Keller Kipp is currently undergoing treatment for a thigh injury, meaning he will not play any part on Sunday.

Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:

Crepeau; Fernandez, Surman, Zuparic, Fory, Mosquera; Costa, Moreno, Ayala, Chara; Mora

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:

St Clair; Gressel, Harvey, Boxall, Romero, Markanich; Lod, Trapp, Pereyra; Oluwaseyi, Yeboah

We say: Portland Timbers 1-2 Minnesota United

The hosts boast one of the best home records in the West, but that could be put to the test against a Minnesota side that are adept at getting results on the road.

Considering their recent knack for finding the back of the net away from home, they could stretch the backline of the home team, and ultimately edge this contest 2-1.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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