Preview:Portland Timbers vs FC Cincinnati - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides who could do well with a win go head to head in MLS as Portland Timbers play host to FC Cincinnati at Providence Park on Saturday night.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams since April 2023, when the Orange and Blue secured a 2-1 home victory courtesy of goals in either half from Sergio Santos and Brandon Vazquez.

Match preview

Portland Timbers were made to rue their lack of sting at the attacking end of the pitch on their return to MLS action last weekend when they fell to a 2-1 defeat against FC Dallas.

While Portland saw over 65% of the ball possession and were in the ascendancy for most of the game, it was Dallas who made their chances count as Petar Musa and Lalas Abubakar hit the target to hand them all three points.

Prior to that, Portland saw their 100% record in the Leagues Cup come to an end on August 7, when they fell to a penalty-shootout defeat against Club America after a 1-1 stalemate in normal time at Providence Park.

With last weekend’s defeat against Dallas, Phil Neville’s men have failed to win four of their most recent five MLS matches (L3, D1), with a narrow 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC at the BMO Stadium on July 26 being the exception.

This drop-off in form has seen Portland drop into sixth place in the Western Conference standings, level on 37 points with fifth-placed Los Angeles FC and four above eighth-placed Colorado Rapids just outside the automatic playoff places.

Like this weekend’s hosts, Cincinnati failed to mark their return to action in MLS on a high as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Charlotte FC at the TQL Stadium last weekend.

In a game where midfielder Brian Anunga received his marching orders, experienced attacker Wilfried Zaha continued his fine form in front of goal for Charlotte as he struck in the 85th minute to leave the hosts empty-handed.

Prior to that, Cincinnati kicked off their 2025 Leagues Cup campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Mexican powerhouse Monterrey on August 1, before suffering consecutive defeats against Juarez and Guadalajara.

Despite their recent slump in form, Pat Noonan's men remain in contention for the MLS Supporters’ Shield title as they sit third in the league standings, with 49 points from 26 matches, two points and two places behind first-placed Philadelphia Union.

While the Orange and Blue could rise from second place into top spot in the Eastern Conference table with a win this weekend, they will need to be at their best at Providence Park, where Portland are unbeaten in 11 of their 12 MLS games since the start of March (W6, D5).

However, results on the road offer Cincinnati plenty of optimism as they have won all but one of their last five away matches, with a goalless draw against Inter Miami at the Chase Stadium on July 27 being the exception.

Portland Timbers Major League Soccer form:

Portland Timbers form (all competitions):

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:

FC Cincinnati form (all competitions):

Team News

Portland Timbers will have to cope without the services of 32-year-old forward Jonathan Rodriguez, who has been sidelined since coming off injured against San Jose Earthquakes in May.

Colombian forward Santiago Moreno, who boasts four goals and five assists in the league so far, will also play no part in this weekend’s clash, having recently completed a move to Brazilian outfit Fluminense.

As for Cincinnati, Anunga is out of contention for this weekend’s clash due to suspension after picking up a straight red card in the game against Charlotte last time out.

On the injury front, Noonan will be unable to name the duo of Obinna Nwobodo and veteran forward Yuya Kubo, who have been ruled out through thigh and ankle injuries respectively.

Brazilian forward Santos is also set to sit out his fourth consecutive game after sustaining a leg injury in the victory against Monterrey on August 1.

Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:

Crepeau; Mosquera, Surman, Zuparic; Miller, Ayala, Smith, Paredes; Costa, Mora, Antony

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:

Celentano; Yedlin, Robinson, Miazga, Engel, Orellano; Bucha, Evander, Smith; Kamara, Valenzuela

We say: Portland Timbers 1-2 FC Cincinnati

Portland Timbers and Cincinnati have suffered a drop-off in form of late and will head into the weekend looking to find their feet. Past meetings between the two teams have served up fireworks, and while we expect another thrilling contest this weekend, we are backing the visitors to come away with all three points

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