Preview:Portland Timbers vs. Houston Dynamo - prediction, team news, lineups

Off the back of a first defeat in eight matches last time out, Portland Timbers welcome Houston Dynamo to Providence Park on Sunday morning.

On the other hand, the away side go in search of consecutive wins having got back to winning ways in their last outing before the international break.

Match preview

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Portland Timbers fell to a comprehensive 4-1 defeat against CF Montreal when the teams locked horns at the Saputo Stadium on October 8.

Goals from Ibrahim Sunusi, Kwadwo Opoku, Mathieu Choiniere and Mason Toye left Miles Joseph's men with a mountain to climb after which Franck Boli grabbed a late consolation.

As a result, the Timbers remain seventh in the Western Conference of the MLS table and still have work to do in their quest to secure an automatic playoff spot.

Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who boast just one victory from the last nine editions of this fixture dating back to 2019.

However, that solitary win did come in the most recent encounter back in August, when Sunday's hosts were on the receiving end of a 5-0 drubbing.

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Houston Dynamo snapped a run of consecutive stalemates with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Colorado Rapids at the Shell Energy Stadium on October 8.

Ben Olsen's men went into the interval with a commanding lead thanks to a Nelson Quinones double and strikes from Amine Bassi and Corey Baird after which Artur put the final nail in the coffin.

With 48 points picked up from 33 games, El Naranja sit fourth in the Western Conference standings, eight points adrift of division leaders St. Louis City.

Having netted the fewest number of goals away from home this term, Sunday's visitors will need to up the ante at the attacking end of the pitch if they are to come away with maximum points.

Team News

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Houston Dynamo duo Ifunanyachi Achara and Tate Schmitt are both sidelined, and neither of them will play any part in this weekend's affair.

Fresh off the back of a two-goal haul last time out, forward Nelson Quinones is expected to retain his place in the visitors' starting lineup.

David Ayala is ruled out for Portland Timbers through a knee problem, while Jaroslaw Niezgoda also misses out through a long-term injury.

The home side will also be without the services of Eryk Williamson, who is yet to feature since the early exchanges of the current campaign.

Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:

Bingham; Bravo, Mabiala, Zuparic, Mosquera; Evander, Acosta, Moreno; Antony, Mora, Asprilla

Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:

Clark; Dorsey, Sviatchenko, Dos Santos, Escobar; Artur, Herrera; Quinones, Bassi, Carrasquilla; Baird

We say: Portland Timbers 2-1 Houston Dynamo

The teams have shown they have goals in them and we are expecting an open and end-to-end affair. We are also backing Portland Timbers to just about see off the threat of their visitors and carry the day in the end.

How to watch

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