Portland Timbers vs Minnesota United Odds & Prediction – MLS Cup Playoffs Round One

• The Portland Timbers vie for a fourth straight win as they host Minnesota United in MLS Cup playoff action as home favorites
• The Timbers are winless in three straight playoff matches, while the Loons search for an end to this season’s road woes
• Read on for all the odds and trends ahead of Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Providence Park

The Portland Timbers hope to avoid making a third straight early exit from the MLS Cup playoffs when they entertain Minnesota United on Sunday afternoon as +110 home favorites. The Timbers closed out the 2021 MLS regular season in fourth place in the Western Conference thanks to a schedule-closing three-match win streak. Winless in their past two road dates, Minnesota United looks to Sunday’s contest as +235 underdogs.

Here’s a look at all the odds, trends, and best bets ahead of this 2022 MLS Cup playoff matchup, set for 5:35 ET on Sunday afternoon at Providence Park.

Portland Timbers vs Minnesota United Odds

*Odds at DraftKings as of November 20, 2021.

Minnesota United Outlook

Minnesota United must find a way to overcome their recent road woes if they are to duplicate last season’s deep run in the MLS Cup playoffs. While the Loons earned at least a point in five of their final six contests to secure a fifth-place finish in the Western Conference standings, they have proven to be a massive disappointment on the road during the 2021 campaign. The club has posted just one win over their past seven away dates while being outscored by a wide 13-6 overall margin, and stumbled to a woeful 3-7-3 overall road record this season.

From day one to #DecisionDay, the West was always wild. pic.twitter.com/4pujjcnvT5

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 11, 2021

Those road woes have certainly helped make the Loons the lowest-scoring team to reach the playoffs in the Western Conference. The club averaged a meager 1.24 goals per match this season and just 1.06 goals per road match. However, the Minnesota defense has also had its moments while allowing a stingy 1.29 goals per outing.

Notes on #MNUFC injury report for #MLSCupPlayoffs match vs. Portland Timbers on Sunday: Ethan Finlay (concussion) is listed as questionable; #Loons winger was limited in training on Thursday. DJ Taylor, Justin McMaster, Callum Montgomery and Patrick Weah are ruled out.

— Andy Greder (@andygreder) November 20, 2021

Midfielder Robin Lod has led the Loons attack this season, potting a team-best nine goals. Lod is pegged as the shortest bet among Minnesota shooters in the player props, sporting +185 odds to score at anytime on Sunday. However, the club has received offensive contributions from up and down the lineup down the stretch, with nine different players finding the back of the net over their past five outings.

Here’s that Robin Lod goal.

Honestly? What a Finnish. #MNUFC pic.twitter.com/6lV4E30HBY

— Jacob Schneider (@_jacobschneider) November 13, 2021

The Loons have also held a clear upper hand in recent dates with the Timbers. The club swept the two-game season series, including a 1-0 victory in Portland back in June, and have compiled a 5-1-0 win-draw-loss record over their past six meetings in league play.

Portland Timbers vs Minnesota United Head-to-Head Stats

Portland Timbers Outlook

While the Loons search for answers to their road woes, the Timbers aim to maintain their late-season winning ways as they kick off their postseason schedule. Listed as a +2000 bet in the MLS Cup odds entering the postseason, Portland rebounded from an October swoon by claiming victory in each of their final three contests, capped by a 3-0 rout of Austin FC on Decision Day. Also the third highest-scoring team in the MLS this season, the Timbers have been particularly prolific on home turf, averaging an impressive 2.55 goals over their past nine dates at Providence Park.

Portland Timbers roll to 3-0 win over Austin FC, set club record with 17 wins in regular season finale https://t.co/1x9xeq2ZGB pic.twitter.com/Du6psnfV7b

— Oregonian Sports (@OregonianSports) November 8, 2021

The duo of Felipe Mora and Dairon Asprilla has led the charge this season, potting 11 and 10 goals, respectively. However, the recent spark has come from veteran midfielder Sebastian Blanco, who has potted three total goals over his past seven outings, and sports attractive +210 odds to do it again on Sunday.

FT: @TimbersFC clinch 4th place & secure a home match in the @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs 💪

Sebastián Blanco recorded a brace and now has 6g/6a (1092 minutes) since his return from ACL surgery. pic.twitter.com/AToscn7mPj

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 4, 2021

The biggest question facing the Timbers is whether they can overcome their recent disappointing performances in MLS Cup playoff actions. MLS Cup runners-up just three years ago, Portland has exited the playoffs with opening-round losses in each of the past two years. The club snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in last year’s loss on penalties to FC Dallas, and have scored just twice over their past three playoff contests.

The Picks: BTTS No Draw (+125)