Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Portland Timbers - prediction, team news, lineups

High-flying Vancouver Whitecaps go in search of a fifth consecutive MLS victory when they play host to Portland Timbers at BC Place on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the away side are also on a good run of form having picked up victories in each of their last two games leading up to this weekend's contest.

Match preview

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Vancouver Whitecaps kept their juggernaut rolling with a fourth victory on the spin as they saw off the threat of Austin FC on Sunday, claiming a 2-1 triumph.

Vanni Sartini's men trailed at the interval courtesy of Sebastian Driussi's strike on the stroke of half time, before second-half goals from Erik Godoy and Deiber Caicedo turned the game around.

As a result, the Blue-and-White have now risen to eighth position in the Western Conference standings and are just one point off seventh place.

With only one point separating the sides, Saturday's hosts have an opportunity to leapfrog this weekend's visitors and move into the playoff places.

However, they have only managed one win in the last five meetings between the teams, although it did come in the most recent edition back in April.

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Portland Timbers got the better of Houston Dynamo at the BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday by picking up a second consecutive 2-0 win away from home.

Yimmi Chara gave Giovanni Savarese's men the lead quarter of an hour into the contest, before Felipe Mora doubled his side's advantage from the spot five minutes later.

The Oregon-based outfit remain in control of their own playoff destiny in what is set to be a frenetic race between seven teams for three playoff places.

Despite clean sheets in each of their last two outings on the road, Saturday's visitors have let in the second-most goals on their travels, which is a weakness that needs to be addressed.

Team News

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Vancouver's Caio Alexandre is set to sit out a sixth consecutive match through a foot injury which he picked up just under a month ago.

This weekend's hosts will also be without the services of 24-year-old Cristian Gutierrez who is currently sidelined with a muscle injury.

Jeff Attinella is unavailable for his side trip to British Columbia as he continues to nurse a tendon problem, while Ismaila Jome misses out due to a torn Achilles.

A knee injury has limited Andy Polo to just four appearances for Portland Timber so far, but the forward could make his return to action in the coming weeks.

Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Hasal; Gaspar, Jungwirth, Godoy, Bikel; Owusu, Baldisimo, Teibert; Dajome, Gauld, White

Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:
Clark; Bravo, Zuparic, Mabiala, Bonilla; D.Chara, Fochive, Blanco; Asprilla, Y.Chara, Mora

We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Portland Timbers

With confidence currently high in both camps, anything but three points will feel like a missed opportunity. While we expect the visitors to put up a good fight, we are also backing the home team to emerge victorious at the end of the 90 minutes.