Portland Timbers vs San Jose Earthquakes
10/06/19, 21:00 PM Kick-Off (GMT)
2019/20 MLS Season Week 34
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MLS Game of the Week Odds Between Western Conference Rivals
The last round of regular-season games before the start of the playoffs happens this weekend and while most teams have confirmed their places in the playoffs and others have checked out of that race a while ago, there are still a few teams yet to nail down a playoff place.
Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes are two of those teams yet to confirm their place in the MLS Cup playoffs. As of this moment, the Timbers sit in 6th place, two points ahead of the 8th placed San Jose Earthquakes. The Timbers only need a point from their game against San Jose to confirm their spot in the playoffs, however, San Jose must win if they are to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
MLS Odds as Both Clubs are in Terrible Form
It’s a difficult match to call, not only because of their similar records in the Western Conference but because they’re both in terrible form heading into the final regular-season game of the season. Portland Timbers has won two of their last seven games, heading into the weekend game on the back of three consecutive ties.
It’s not like San Jose are faring much better, in fact, even worse. They have lost their last five games on the trot, with their last win coming on August 31st against Orlando City SC. San Jose is in their worst form of the season in the most important part of the season, losing eight of their last ten matches. They have been in freefall for a while and it’s a massive question whether they can bring themselves back up with a performance against Portland Timbers.
Sportsbooks, therefore, has odds on the Timbers winning opening at -105, making them favorites. San Jose’s odds of winning their first game in six opens at +125. Odds on a tie between the two clubs, a result that would not be in the favor of San Jose, open at +330.
San Jose got the best of the Timbers in their last meeting, winning 3-0 at home back in April 2019. It’s been a fairly equal contest in their last five matches, with Portland winning three and San Jose claiming victory in two matches.
San Jose will be leaning on the shoulders of their greatest ever player in Chris Wondolwoski, who’s scored 14 league goals this season. The striker who is now 36 years of age, has scored ten or more goals in ten consecutive seasons, the only player in MLS history to do so. They will need more magic from him if they are to return to the playoffs.
It’s bound to be a tight and cagey affair, and with Portland not needing a win, I believe they are good enough to tie and head to the MLS Cup playoffs which means it will be the end of the road for the San Jose Earthquakes.
