Preview & Prediction: Austin FC vs Portland Timbers
In the upcoming MLS match taking place on 18th September 2023 between Austin FC and Portland Timbers, Austin FC approaches this match with a recent performance of 4 points from their last 5 games. Also, “Both Teams to Score” (BTTS) happened in 4 of these games, and Austin has been successful in scoring 8 times in these fixtures. Austin FC’s performance in their home turf is of note, having scored in each of their last seven home games. However, they have failed to score in 2 of their home matches this season. This trend of scoring is also evident in the fact that 63% of all their matches this season have seen BTTS.
On the other hand, Portland Timbers has been on a solid run recently, bagging 7 points from the last five matches, which translates to an average of 1.4 points per game. Like Austin, Portland has also found the net 8 times in the last 5 fixtures and they are on a three-game unbeaten run. The recent matches of Portland have been characterized by scoring, with the last 6 fixtures ending with at least 2 goals. Portland has netted in the last 4 games and has scored 8 goals overall in the past 5 matches.
Regarding individual performances, Jorge Antonio Flores Villafaña of Portland has 15 clean sheets matches and 4 goal assists to his credit. Rodney Wallace of the same team has made 5 goal assists, while Darlington Nagbe has netted 5 times.
In terms of the history between Austin FC and Portland Timbers, they have previously faced each other 6 times, with Austin winning twice and Portland emerging victorious thrice, and a single draw. The average goal rate for these matches stands at 3.33, while BTTS has occurred 67% of the time. Notably, their last encounter ended in a triumph for Austin with a 4 – 1 scoreline.
With respect to the current season, at home Austin have averaged 1.62 Points Per Game whilst Portland Timbers have managed an average of 0.64 Points Per Game in away matches. Finally, Austin’s home form seems average while Portland doesn’t bolster a promising away form. Summarizing from the above, it’s likely that we will witness a competitive encounter between the two sides.
Key Insights:
– Austin FC has an average of 0.8 points per game from their last 5 matches, with both teams scoring (BTTS) in 4 out of 5 of these games.
– Austin FC has scored 8 times in their last five fixtures.
– Austin’s players are in good form; they have scored in their last 7 home games, failing to score in just 2 home matches this season.
– In 4 out of the last 5 matches for Austin both teams have scored.
– This season, BTTS has landed in 63% of all matches involving Austin FC.
– On the other hand, Portland Timbers averages 1.4 points per game from their last 5 games, with BTTS in 3 out of 5 of these games.
– Portland Timbers have also scored 8 times in their last 5 fixtures.
– Portland Timbers are on a 3-game unbeaten run coming into this match.
– Matches involving Portland Timbers often have a couple of goals, with their last 6 games seeing 2 or more goals.
– For Portland Timbers, both teams have scored in 3 of their last 5 matches.
– This season, matches involving the Timbers have seen BTTS landing in 61% of the occasions.
– Importantly, Portland Timbers have netted in their last four consecutive games, scoring a total of 8 goals.
– Looking at individual players, Jorge Antonio Flores Villafaña of Portland Timbers has kept clean sheets in 15 matches and provided 4 goal assists, Rodney Wallace provided 5 goal assists, and Darlington Nagbe scored 5 goals.
– Previous meetings show a tightly fought contest, Austin FC has 2 wins, Portland Timbers have 3 wins and 1 match ended as a draw out of the previous 6 encounters.
– Matches between these two teams average 3.33 goals and BTTS has happened 67% of the time.
– This season, Austin FC has averaged 1.62 Points Per Game (PPG) at home whereas Portland Timbers have averaged 0.64 PPG away.
Match Forecast:
– Austin FC is likely to exploit their strength in attacking down the wings against Portland’s weakness in defending these areas.
– Given Austin FC’s weakness at defending set pieces and the Timbers’ strength in creating long shot opportunities, expect the Timbers to go direct and long in their offensive endeavours.
– Austin FC has a very weak defense against counter attacks, which aligns with Portland Timbers’ strength in counter attacking. Expect the Timbers to try to exploit this throughout the game.
– Austin FC’s possession football style might be an issue against Portland Timbers’ aggressive play, which might lead to frequent interruption of the game.
– Given Portland Timbers’ weakness in keeping possession and their preferred long ball strategy, Austin FC is more likely to have a significant amount of ball possession.
– Portland Timbers, being weak at avoiding fouls in dangerous areas and with Austin FC’s strength in attacking set pieces, might give away free-kicks or penalties in dangerous areas. This will provide Austin FC with more scoring opportunities.
– Since both teams try to attempt crosses often, we can expect a game with a lot of aerial duels and headers.
– Given that both teams are weak at defending against attacks down the wings, the game might see a lot of thrilling wing play from both sides.
– As Portland Timbers prefer to attack down the right, they might aim to exploit Austin FC’s defense, which is weak at defending against attacks down the wings.
– Given Portland Timbers’ aggressive style, they might aim to disrupt Austin FC’s play style of playing in their own half.
It is highly probable that Austin FC will find the net through a wing play action, and there is a similar likelihood that Portland will capitalize on a fast break situation. Additionally, Austin FC apparently stands a good chance of scoring from a set-piece situation. Meanwhile, Portland is likely to hit a longshot goal. It is also plausible that Austin FC will take charge of most of the possession.
Match Facts:
In their previous six encounters, Austin FC has managed two victories, one match has ended in a draw, and Portland Timbers have won three times. The goal difference stands at 10-10, favouring Austin FC. Last season, both games between Portland Timbers and Austin FC resulted in a Portland Timbers’ victory (1-0 at their home ground and 2-1 at Austin FC’s ground). Interesting fact – Austin FC and Portland Timbers both scored 26% of their goals typically in the final 14 minutes of a match. Austin FC is currently facing a frustrating no-win streak in their last six games, and they have lost three in a row at home. Portland Timbers are in a similarly bad shape on the road, with their last eight away games ending without a win. Austin FC have been unable to score in two of their thirteen home games this season. Portland Timbers have failed to score in six out of fourteen of their away games this season. Portland Timbers’ away record this season stands at 1-6-7. Austin FC’s Sebastian Driussi is leading the scoring chart with 8 goals; Portland Timbers’ Evander has netted 7. Austin FC’s Daniel Pereira has acquired more yellow cards – 7 in total, than any of his team-mates; Portland Timbers’ Dario Zuparic has collected 9. Austin FC have let in a goal in their last 10 matches. Austin FC takes the first half victory in 20% of their matches, while Portland Timbers achieve the same in 25% of their matches. The last encounter between these two teams ended in a 2-2 stalemate. When Austin FC takes a 1-0 lead at home, they hold onto it and achieve victory 75% of the time. Portland Timbers have a 50% chance of winning when they go 1-0 up whilst playing away. Conversely, when Austin FC trails 0-1 at home, they have an 11% comeback win rate, and the rate is 0% for Portland Timbers when they fall to a 1-0 deficit on away games. In the MLS league, Portland Timbers’ performance surpasses that of Austin FC. Over the last five games, Portland Timbers have only lost once against Austin FC in all competitions. In these last five encounters, Portland Timbers have won three times, Austin FC has taken one victory, and one match was a draw. The average goal per match when Austin FC plays against Portland Timbers is 1.2 for Austin FC and 1.8 for Portland Timbers. The average total of goals scored in the matches played between Austin FC and Portland Timbers is 3, with an average of 1.4 goals in the first half. On average, Austin FC scores 1.67 goals when playing at home, and Portland Timbers scores 1 goal when playing away.
