Preview: Portland Timbers vs. Los Angeles FC - prediction, team news, lineups

Los Angeles FC will go in search of a fourth consecutive MLS win when they travel to Portland Timbers on Sunday.

The Black and Gold currently sit seventh in the Western Conference, while the Timbers are one point better off in fifth.

Match preview

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Danny Musovski scored an 81st-minute winner as LAFC beat Austin 2-1 on Wednesday, allowing them to move into a playoff spot in the process.

Bob Bradley's side have recovered from an eight-match winless streak in July and August and now appear to be peaking at just the right time as the final 10 fixtures of the regular season approach.

Only Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City have scored more goals in the Western Conference than LAFC (37), but just 11 of those have come away from home.

Moreover, before beating Austin last time out, the Black and Gold had lost four consecutive matches on the road.

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Portland Timbers' 2-2 draw with Colorado Rapids on Wednesday brought to an end their own three-match winning streak.

The Oregon-based outfit twice trailed against Rapids, but Sebastian Blanco scored a 91st-minute equaliser to ensure they collected a point.

Giovanni Savarese's side have found the back of the net in each of their last 14 matches, but at the other end of the pitch they have conceded the most goals in the Western Conference (41).

These two sides will face each other again in California just 10 days after they meet at Providence Park, with the Timbers hosting Real Salt Lake and LAFC travelling to San Jose Earthquakes in between.

Felipe Mora scored a 93rd-minute winner as the Timbers beat LAFC 2-1 in July, which was their first victory over the Black and Gold in their last five meetings.

Team News

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Bill Tuiloma was sent off in Portland Timbers' draw with Colorado Rapids on Wednesday and is likely to be replaced by Jose Van Rankin at right-back. George Fochive will be pushing for a recall after dropping to the bench in midweek, in what could be Giovanni Savarese's only other change.

Striker Felipe Mora has found the back of the net eight times in his last 13 appearances and will continue to lead the line for the Timbers.

Bob Bradley could name an unchanged LAFC side as he looks to continue the team's winning run.

The Black and Gold are missing several first team players, including captain Carlos Vela who suffered a hamstring injury in August.

Summer signing Cristian Arango has stepped up in Vela's absence, scoring five goals in his last four games.

Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:

Clark; Van Rankin, Mabiala, Zuparic, Bravo; Fochive, D. Chara; Y. Chara, Blanco, Asprilla; Mora

Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:

Romero; Fall, Murillo, Farfan; Moon-Hwan, Ginella, Crisostomo, Edwards; Cifuentes; Arango, Rodriguez

We say: Portland Timbers 2-2 Los Angeles FC

With both teams in good form, this should be a tight and entertaining game in Oregon. Goals seem almost a certainty given the two sides' recent records, but we cannot separate them so think it will end level.