Portland Timbers vs Monterrey Prediction
Monterrey have come out flying to start the Apertura at 2-1-0, scoring five and conceding only one.
They’ve suffered only one defeat in their past 11 and that came versus Tigres in the semifinals of the Clausura. They also have just three defeats in their past 25.
Only twice in those 25 games have they failed to score. In 21 of those 25, there have been at least two total goals scored in their games.
All of those stats updated after their 4-2 comeback win over Seattle on Sunday. Despite Seattle taking an early 2-0 lead after just six minutes, Monterrey had it tied by halftime, took the lead in the 48 and another in the 63’. Of those four goals, German Berterame had three. Monterrey outshot Seattle 17-7 and 9-5.
They had also beaten RSL in their first Leagues Cup match 3-0.
So Los Rayados are on fire right now and face Portland, who are currently 12th in the West at 6-8-9.
The Timbers entered Leagues Cup on a high with a 3-2 win over Columbus and followed that up with 2-0 win over San Jose in the tournament. While they started strong versus Tigres in game two with Evander scoring in the 24’ min, Tigres drew level in the 42’ right before Evander received a second yellow and was sent off in the 44’. Portland almost held on for the draw but Tigres found their breakthrough in the 80’ for the winner.
Prior to those two aforementioned wins, Portland had just one win 10 and now will be without Evander. It has to be a Monterrey win for this Leagues Cup prediction.
Portland vs Monterrey Picks: Monterrey to win (+125)
Chicago Fire vs Club America Prediction
Club America are one of the most successful if not the most successful team in North American soccer history. But they just suffered one of their worst results in recent memory losing 4-1 to the Columbus Crew on Monday. It was the first time they had allowed four goals in a game in over three years.
In their first Leagues Cup game, they equally embarrassed St. Louis, winning 4-0.
Despite the loss, America has only three losses in 13, four in 24, and five in 39 in Liga MX. They’ve scored in 13 straight and in 21/22 in Liga MX. In those 22, Over 1.5 goals is 20-2.
Those scoring streaks have extended further when you factor in their Leagues Cup results.
The Fire came into the tournament hot with three straight wins and wins in 5/6, keeping clean sheets in four of those wins.
They’ve stayed hot with a 3-2 win over Minnesota and 1-1 draw with Puebla, before losing 10-9 in PKs.
But it hasn’t been easy. They were down 2-1 versus Minnesota and scored two goals late. They were down 1-0 verssu Puebla, before Puebla took a red card and they scored off the ensuing free kick late.
Oddly, all the goals in Chicago games have come late. Of the seven combined goals, all have come in the 62’ min or later. Six of seven have come in the 70’ minute or later.
America didn’t need the win to advance and did rotate some players versus Columbus. They’ll want a big response here and are just a better team than the Fire. Getting them at plus-money in the Leagues Cup odds looks like a great bet.
Chicago vs Club America Picks: Club America to win (+130)
