- Home form: Portland Timbers have won 2 and lost 0 of their last 2 home games, winning 6, tying 2 and losing 2 of their 10 home games in MLS 2026.
- Away form: Austin FC have won 3, tied 1 and lost 1 of their last 5 games and have scored 12 goals in their 11 away games to date in MLS 2026.
Timbers have an edge at Providence Park
Ariel Lassiter has hit a purple patch of form for Portland Timbers with 4 goals in their last 5 MLS 2026 games, but the Rose City still have Kevin Kelsy as their best bet to score anytime on Sunday against Austin FC.
Marti Cifuentes' Portland have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 5 matches in a mixed run that includes a 3-1 home win over San Diego FC. They sit 15th in MLS 2026 with 28 points from 21 games, while Austin FC are 27th with 21 points from 21 matches.
The Verde & Black arrive at Providence Park in better form than the home team with three wins, one draw and one defeat from their last five. Davy Arnaud's men beat Seattle Sounders 2-0 away from home last time out and have now won 2 and lost 0 of their last 2 away games.
An intriguing clash of styles
Odds and predictions
Portland are the clear favorite with the oddsmakers at 1.58, but we're passing on that with both teams priced up to land on the Both Teams to Score line at 1.53. Over 2.5 goals at 1.48 looks a cleaner alternative for this clash between two of the MLS's struggling teams.
Tactical outlook
Cifuentes has overseen a Portland side that presses high and likes to play off the press by exploiting transitions, whereas Arnaud has kept Austin built around their possession, patient buildup game and counter-pressing. Portland will try to make this a transition game by getting their high defensive line forward while Austin will try to slow the pace and play through the press.
Head-to-head
- In the head-to-head, Portland have 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat from their last 5 against Austin, who have beaten the Timbers once.
- A 0-0 draw in Austin last season was the last meeting and the average score across the last five games at Portland's home ground is 0.5 goals for the home side and 0.5 for the visitors, so we're sticking with the 1-1 draw in the correct score market.
