San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers Betting Preview – MLS, September 16, 2020

San Jose hosts Portland on Wednesday, September 16, with both sides in desperate need of a win. The Timbers have only managed to win one of their five games since going all the way at the MLS is Back Tournament, while the Quakes have failed to register a victory since the regular season resumed.

The Timbers still find themselves in a decent position in the Western Conference, although a win for Matias Almeyda’s men – who currently sit second from bottom – would take them to within a point of the Oregon club.

Keep reading to see my San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers prediction and betting pick.

The bookmakers clearly think this matchup is too close to call. Yes, San Jose is the marginal favorite. But if this game was being played at Providence Park, I’m sure that Portland would be handed the favorite tag.

Let’s take a closer look at the teams.

I had high hopes for San Jose following their impressive group-stage campaign at the MLS is Back Tournament. Matias Almeyda’s side drew with defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders and beat Vancouver Whitecaps and Chicago Fire before eventually falling to Minnesota United in the quarter-finals.

However, it’s pretty much been all downhill since then. The Goonies returned to regular season action with defeats to the two LA clubs before suffering a humiliating 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Seattle last weekend. The team restored some pride by ending the Galaxy’s four-game winning streak with a goalless draw last time out, but two wins from ten games is nowhere near good enough.

Meanwhile, Portland just can’t seem to get going following their triumph in Florida last month. Defeats to Seattle, LA Galaxy, and LAFC have come in the past month, with a narrow victory over the Sounders their only win in five attempts.

Giovanni Savarese’s men have been scoring more than enough goals. In fact, they have netted ten times across their previous four outings. Still, the Timbers haven’t been able to keep the ball out of their own net, conceding 15 goals in their last five games.

Needless to say, I’m expecting this matchup to produce plenty of goals.

I can see Portland coming out on top of what should be a high-scoring encounter on Wednesday. Each of the Timbers’ five games since the MLS is Back Tournament have seen over 2.5 goals scored, with three producing at least five goals.

The Goonie’s defensive problems were exposed in their 7-1 hammering against Seattle last week, and they are still searching for their first win since the regular season resumed.