MLS Is Back Odds: Picking LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers

MLS Is Back: LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers

Odds as of Monday and via DraftKings. Get up to a $1,000 sign-up bonus at DraftKings today or see more offers and reviews for the best online sportsbooks.

Clubs hoping to shake off early funks go at it Monday in the evening heat when Portland and Los Angeles duke it out in Group F action of the MLS Is Back Tournament in Orlando.

Portland enters the match with a mixed bag of results accrued during the start of its league campaign. The Timbers suffered a 3-1 loss against Minnesota United in their home opener at Providence Park before picking up a 1-0 win against expansion club Nashville SC prior to the hiatus.

Portland was lucky to grab all three points against Nashville, as the Timbers were not sharp and were outplayed much of the contest.

As for Los Angeles, the franchise could not have asked for a more subpar beginning to its season. Loaded with offensive firepower, the Galaxy wound up winless and mustered just one goal in two matches.

It was surely something the team and its fans did not expect, especially with Mexico international Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez now leading the line up top. Los Angeles was simply out of sync on its attack and will have to get things in order right out of the gate in this talented group.

As with most matches in this competition, this is a tough contest to handicap, especially if you are looking to back a side. Neither team played with any sort of poise or rhythm in their opening matches and the break probably didn’t help.

Much like the Minnesota United-Sporting Kansas City match, I am looking to back the total going over 2.5 goals. However, I recommend jumping on the total via a live wager to get a slightly better odds. Portland and Los Angeles have seen the total surpass two goals in three of their last five meetings and I see that happening again.

If you’re looking for a side, I am avoiding both clubs and making a small play on the draw at a ripe number. As mentioned, Los Angeles and Portland struggled out of the gate and I anticipate the same here.

Expect this game to be a back-and-forth affair, but neither team gaining the upper hand.