Afrigather 
Phil Neville is aware of the Portland Timbers’ assembly with the Seattle Sounders on Saturday will probably be “pivotal” to the end result of their season because the Cascadia Cup rivals battle for a playoff place.
Portland enter Saturday’s recreation seventh within the Western Convention standings, two locations and three factors behind the in-form Sounders.
The Timbers have been crushed 2-1 on residence soil by their rivals once they final confronted off in Could, however they haven’t misplaced a regular-season residence recreation since, successful seven and drawing two of their final 9.
Neville is aware of the significance of carrying that type into this weekend, saying: “We’re wanting ahead to a different massive recreation.
“After we seemed on the fixtures firstly of the season, to play Seattle residence and away within the final eight video games, we knew these video games could be pivotal to our success.
“That’s the way it’s panned out and we’re all excited for it. While you get into soccer, you need to be concerned within the largest video games.
“It’s towards our largest rivals. I feel each groups are in actually good type, excellent type. They get success with their group of gamers however that is about us. We’re enjoying for 3 massive factors.”
Seattle, in the meantime, have solely misplaced one regular-season recreation since early June, although they have been dumped out of the U.S. Open Cup on the semi-final stage by Los Angeles FC in midweek, shedding 1-0 on residence soil.
Boss Brian Schmetzer, although, senses a want to set the file straight on this week’s derby.
“They perceive the significance of Portland. It is a proud group that has overcome a variety of adversity already this yr,” he stated.
“I don’t see any purpose why they will’t proceed that and do it once more.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Portland Timbers – Evander
Evander has recorded an help in seven straight residence matches, equalling the longest single-season streak in MLS historical past.
The one participant to file an help in eight straight regular-season residence matches was Eric Wynalda, who did so spanning the 1996 and 1997 seasons.
TRGET PRACTICE THURSDAY.#RCTID pic.twitter.com/ZXpMk2qtIl
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) August 29, 2024
Seattle Sounders – Raul Ruidiaz
Ruidiaz has scored 13 targets towards the Timbers within the common season and playoffs. No different participant has greater than 10 targets towards a single opponent since Ruidiaz made his MLS debut in July 2018.
MATCH PREDICTION – PORTLAND TIMBERS WIN
The Sounders are unbeaten in three straight matches towards Portland (one win, two attracts) together with a 2-1 highway win on Could 12. Seattle haven’t gone 4 straight MLS matches with out defeat towards Portland since 2014-15, although.
The Sounders have gained six of their final seven regular-season matches (one loss), however they’re dealing with a Timbers crew which have gained seven of their final 9 at residence (two attracts), scoring 28 targets all through that run.
Portland drew 4-4 with St. Louis Metropolis final week, marking the fourth time they’ve scored 4 targets in a match however didn’t win since becoming a member of MLS in 2011. If they will tighten issues up on the different finish, they may proceed their effective file on residence turf.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Portland Timbers – 42.9%
Seattle Sounders – 30.4%
Draw – 26.7%
