The 2023 Leagues Cup gets underway this weekend, with group-stage action taking place in the West. The top two teams from each of the three groups will progress through to the next round, and there will be an all-MLS showdown in the opening round matches.
Portland Timbers will have home advantage for their clash against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. You can find the latest odds to bet on soccer, and our Timbers vs Earthquakes best bets below.
Timbers vs. Earthquakes Information
Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Location of the Game: Providence Park, Portland.
Date and Time: Saturday, July 22. 10:00 PM ET.
How to Watch: FS1
Recent Scores
Home victories have been common in this fixture, with three of the last five being won by the side with the home advantage. However, the previous encounter between the sides took place in June, with the points shared following a 0-0 draw.
The Timbers won 2-1 in their previous home match against the Earthquakes and have gone 16 without loss against San Jose at Providence Park.
Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes Analysis
Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers will be making their debut in the Leagues Cup this summer, and they could see this as a perfect opportunity to stop the rot. They have been in poor form throughout the regular season in the MLS, as they have lost nine of their 23 matches. So far this term, they have recorded just six wins, and they sit five points off the top seven places in the Western Conference.
However, their form has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, as they have gone two without defeat in the MLS. They went into the summer break after registering a 3-2 home win over the Columbus Crew, and that should give them confidence ahead of this Leagues Cup showdown with the Earthquakes.
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes should come into this showdown in good spirits, as they have enjoyed a solid start to the MLS season. They currently sit sixth in the overall standings in the Western Conference, and they are just nine points off the top of the standings.
San Jose has won eight of their 23 matches this term, but they have suffered a second-conference low of just seven defeats.
The soccer matches this week will give them a break from domestic matters, but they come into the match after going three without defeat. They ended the first half of the MLS season on July 13 with a fine 2-0 home win over the Seattle Sounders. Siding with the visitors this week may be one of the Timbers vs Earthquakes best bets.
Odds Breakdown
Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers are narrow favorites to land victory in this match on Saturday, as they are currently priced up at +105. They are also a +260 chance to cover the (-1) spread.
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes are available at -138 on the (+1) spread market, but considerable +250 outsiders in the full-time result market. The draw is also available at +250.
Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes Pick and Prediction
This could be a challenging match to make soccer picks, as both sides bring contrasting form into the fixture. However, our Timbers vs Earthquakes best bets hinge on the form of the visitors.
They have been excellent throughout the MLS season, and we fancy their chances of landing a victory on the opening matchday in the Leagues Cup.
- Pick: San Jose Earthquakes (+250)
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