Portland Timbers will host Real Salt Lake on Thursday, 17 July, in the next MLS round.
With both teams in the race for the playoffs, who will get the three points from this important match? Find that out and more from our Portland Timbers vs Real Salt Lake prediction and preview right here.
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Portland Timbers vs Real Salt Lake prediction: A low-scoring affair
Key stats
- Portland have only lost one of their 11 home games in the league so far, but Real Salt Lake are in great form with three wins and one draw in their last four matches.
- We saw both teams score in 82% of Portland's home matches in the MLS this season, as well as 64% of Salt Lake's away games.
- Both teams have scored in four of the last seven H2H duels between these teams.
Correct score prediction: Portland Timbers 1-1 Real Salt Lake
These two teams enter their duel looking for three points, but if we can judge based on their recent H2H history, splitting the loot seems like the most likely option.
After all, Portland have done better this season overall, but Real Salt Lake are on fire right now, so a draw sounds like the most reasonable outcome.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies favouring the Timbers
- HOME: 1/1 (2.00) – 50.00%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.60%
- AWAY: 2/1 (3.00) – 33.30%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
We can see from these Portland Timbers vs Real Salt Lake odds that the hosts are the expected winners, although the guests aren't without a chance either.
This makes sense considering that Timbers are eight points ahead in the standings, but Real Salt Lake have three wins in their last four games in the league.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips if you enjoyed our predictions for this match.
Most recent H2Hs: No wins for Salt Lake lately
Real Salt Lake are without a win against Portland Timbers in their last five meetings, three of which have ended in draws. Meanwhile, the two teams are very close when it comes to their overall H2H record: 15-12-14 in favour of the Timbers.
USA MLS 15/05/25
Real Salt Lake
Portland Timbers
USA MLS 22/09/24
Real Salt Lake
Portland Timbers
USA MLS 14/07/24
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
USA MLS 31/08/23
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
USA MLS 18/05/23
Real Salt Lake
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers preview: Looking for another good showing at home
With six wins, four draws, and just one loss in 11 home matches in the league this season, Portland have done well at home, which can't be said about their away performances and results. Still, they are in fifth place in the Western Conference right now and playoff-bound, but if they want to climb a bit higher, they'll have to be more consistent away from home.
Antony, Jonathan Rodriguez, Ariel Lassiter, and Zac McGraw remain sidelined with injuries, while Kamal Miller is suspended for this match.
Predicted lineup: Crepeau (GK), Zuparic, Surman, Smith, Mosquera, Ortiz, Paredes, Fory, Moreno, Costa & Mora
USA MLS 11/05/25
W
Sporting Kansas City
0
Portland Timbers
1
USA US Open Cup 07/05/25
W
Tacoma Defiance
2
Portland Timbers
3
USA MLS 04/05/25
L
San Jose Earthquakes
4
Portland Timbers
1
USA MLS 28/04/25
W
LA Galaxy
2
Portland Timbers
4
USA MLS 20/04/25
D
Los Angeles FC
3
Portland Timbers
3
Real Salt Lake preview: On a good run and hoping for more
While it seemed like Real Salt Lake wouldn't even come close to making the playoffs this season, winning 10 points in their last four games in the league changed that perspective. Salt Lake still remain outside of the playoff picture at this time, but they are now just two points behind Austin, who are in the spot that leads to the play-in match.
Meanwhile, Braian Ojeda will have to serve a ban due to accumulated yellow cards, while Tyler Wolff, Javain Brown, and Zac MacMath are out with injuries.
Predicted lineup: Cabral (GK), Caliskan, Glad, Junqua, Katranis, Ruiz, Palacio, Goncalves, Gozo, Luna & Agada
USA MLS 11/05/25
D
FC Dallas
1
Real Salt Lake
1
USA MLS 04/05/25
L
Vancouver Whitecaps
2
Real Salt Lake
1
USA MLS 26/04/25
W
San Diego FC
1
Real Salt Lake
3
USA MLS 20/04/25
L
Toronto FC
1
Real Salt Lake
0
USA MLS 13/04/25
L
Nashville SC
2
Real Salt Lake
1
Player to watch: Diego Luna
With eight goals in the MLS this season, the 21-year-old USA international has clearly done well and he'll be looking to improve his goalscoring record against Portland Timbers, so Luna is our player to watch in this game.
