Seattle Sounders take on Portland Timbers on Friday as the MLS season restarts after being put on hold during the World Cup in North America.
Seattle lost their last two matches before the break but they are favourites to return with a victory over the Timbers, who will be led by interim head coach Jack Cassidy.
He stepped up to the top job after last month's departure of former England international Phil Neville, whose Portland side kept just one clean sheet in their first 14 MLS matches this term.
Seattle Sounders v Portland Timbers Tips Summary
Best Bet - Seattle Sounders to win & under 3.5 goals @ 2/1
Alternative Bet - Kevin Kelsy 2+ shots on target @ 3/1
Bet Builder - Seattle Sounders to win first half, Jesus Ferreira to score or assist & Cole Bassett 1+ shot on target @ 13/2
Seattle Sounders v Portland Timbers Prediction
Best Bet: Seattle Sounders to win & under 3.5 goals @ 2/1
Portland Timbers thrashed Sporting Kansas City 6-0 in May, but that was a rare highlight in their difficult start to the MLS season.
The Timbers have been particularly poor on their travels, losing six of their first eight away fixtures, and another defeat is looming when they take on the Sounders.
Four of Portland's six road defeats were by a 2-0 scoreline and Seattle's defensive record suggests a low-scoring home win is the best bet on Friday.
The Sounders should be backed to win a game featuring under 3.5 goals as they have conceded only 11 times in 13 league fixtures this season.
They are far from prolific at the other end of the pitch, as reflected by their last two results before the World Cup - a 2-0 home defeat to LA Galaxy and a 1-0 loss at Los Angeles FC.
Before the Galaxy game, though, Seattle were unbeaten in nine matches including entertaining home victories over St Louis City, Dallas and San Jose Earthquakes.
The Sounders may be without injured wingers Paul Arriola and Pedro de la Vega, but they still have the quality to grind out a win over their inconsistent visitors.
Alternative Bet: Kevin Kelsy 2+ shots on target @ 3/1
Breaking down Seattle's defence will not be easy for Portland, but striker Kevin Kelsy is overpriced to have two or more shots on target for the visitors.
He has looked lively this season, scoring five goals for the Timbers despite starting only nine MLS matches.
The Venezuelan youngster has had 11 shots on target in 738 minutes of playing time and he was in good form before the mid-season hiatus.
Kelsy found the net four times in his last six MLS games under former coach Neville and he could play a vital role as the Timbers attempt to kickstart their campaign.
Seattle Sounders v Portland Timbers Bet Builder Tip
Seattle Sounders to win first half
Jesus Ferreira to score or assist
Cole Bassett 1+ shot on target
Pays 13/2
The hosts should make a fast start to Friday's home fixture and they are worth backing to be leading at half-time.
Visitors Portland were behind at the break in four of their last five games and they conceded seven first-half goals in their last three outings - against Montreal, Inter Miami and San Jose Earthquakes.
Jesus Ferreira is one of Seattle's most talented attackers, capable of scoring goals and creating chances for team-mates.
Ferreira has claimed two goals and five assists in 11 MLS starts this term and he has made more key passes (29) than any other Seattle player.
Portland midfielder Cole Bassett scored in two of his last four MLS appearances and should add to his tally of seven shots on target this season.
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Key Match Stats
Both teams have scored in five of Seattle Sounders' last seven MLS matches
Seattle conceded the first goal in each of their last four games
The Sounders have scored 12 of their 17 MLS goals at home this season
Portland Timbers have lost six of their eight away fixtures this term
Portland were trailing at half-time in each of their last four defeats
Seven of Portland's 14 MLS games this season featured over 3.5 goals
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
