Big rivals Portland and Seattle could be level after first leg

Portland v Seattle
Sky Sports Football, 10.30pm Sunday

There is no bigger MLS derby game than a battle between Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders, and the stakes are higher than normal in the first leg of their playoff semi-final.

This is the first time the Western Conference rivals have met in the playoffs since 2013 and a feisty occasion is guaranteed at Providence Park.

Seattle should get through, although the best first-leg bet could be the draw in an intriguing match.

Portland have it all to do as they go into the game having had a short turnaround following a 2-1 win in Dallas on Wednesday. That game will have taken something out of Portland, particularly after they played the last half an hour with ten men following Larrys Mabiala's red card.

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Mabiala is suspended which is bad news for Portland, who have lost all three matches without the DR Congo international this season. Combine that with Seattle having collected the most MLS points and wins since the start of July and it may point to a road win.

However, renowned website fivethirtyeight believes purely on the numbers there is a 48 per cent chance of a home win so Portland's issues are factored into the market.

Recommendation
Draw
1pt 12-5 188Bet

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

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