Vancouver set to brush aside travel-sick Timbers

MLS
Sky Sports Football, 11.30pm Sunday

Vancouver Whitecaps are beginning to find their stride in the Western Conference and the Canadian outfit can make it three consecutive MLS wins when they host poor-travelling Portland Timbers.

There’s little to separate the pair in the standings – both sides have amassed 27 points – but the Whitecaps have played three games fewer and have lost just one of their last six matches.

The Timbers can cause plenty of problems on their day but their best performances tend to be saved for their Portland base and they have picked up just eight points on their travels.

Caleb Porter’s troops are winless on the road since stunning Philadelphia Union back in April – a run of eight away games without a league success – and it’s unlikely that will change against Vancouver, who have lost just one of their last seven on their own patch.

Only MLS debutants Minnesota United have shipped more goals than Portland in the Western Conference and the injuries to defensive duo Amobi Okugo and Liam Ridgewell may make life tough for the visitors from the outset.

The Whitecaps are on a high having downed LA Galaxy (1-0) and New York City (3-2) in their last two matches and if in similar vein should have little trouble seeing off the Timbers, who have conceded 18 times in their last eight road trips.

Portland ran out 2-1 winners when the sides last did battle in April but that triumph came in front of their own fans and they have won just two league games since.

Vancouver frontman Fredy Montero notched in the defeat at Portland and he has netted in his last two home games.

The prolific Colombian has scored five of his six goals at the BC Place Arena this term and against such leaky opposition, he looks a touch of value at 7-5 to lay the foundations for a Vancouver win.

Recommendations
Vancouver Whitecaps
2pts 10-11 Boylesports
F Montero to score at any time
1pt 7-5 Betway, Ladbrokes

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