Sounders on the rise at the business end
Seattle Sounders’ recovery in MLS may continue on Saturday evening when they play host to Portland Timbers in the Western Conference.
A lot is expected of the Sounders this season and they are in the process of cementing their place inside the play-offs, still with plenty of work to do in seventh place.
Timbers are three points behind the hosts in tenth placed and need to hit form at the right time if they are to keep their MLS cup dream alive.
The Sounders have lost just one of their last six and will be confident that they can boost their play-off bid on their home patch.
Process
The season-long data is not as kind to the Sounders, but it is clear to see from the way that they have been playing in the last few weeks, that no one will want to take them on if they do qualify for the play-offs.
The Sounders have scored 26 goals from 25.7 expected goals (xG) for in 17 outings, at an average of 1.51 xGF per game, not outstanding but a healthy process that should see you safely into the top seven if you can keep the goals out on a consistent basis.
The Timbers are not as inspiring, score 29 from 25.0 xGF, a process that could negatively regress if they are unable to improve their chance creation, posting 1.32 xGF per game on average.
Defensively, the visitors are the stronger side, and will need to call on all of that resolve to give themselves a chance of yielding a positive result in Seattle.
The Sounders have unsustainably overperformed defensively, conceding just 19 goals from 27.8 xGA in 17 outings, they will not seal their place in the play-offs will comfort, unless they can limit the opposition to greater effect in the coming weeks.
The hosts are allowing 1.64 xGA per game on average, compared to the Timbers conceding 1.47.
Goals?
A potential angle but the performance of the hosts recently is enough to offer some value in their outright price just below evens.
Sounders have scored in nine of ten.
Sounders have conceded in six of ten.
Sounders have seen both teams score in five of ten.
Sounders have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
Timbers have scored in eight of ten.
Timbers have conceded in nine of ten.
Timbers have seen both teams score in seven of ten.
Timbers have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
3-0 Timbers.