Our prediction for this MLS match:
Real Salt Lake
Match Time & Date:
18/05/2023
03:30
Prediction: 2-2
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake and Portland Timbers go head to head at Rio Tinto Stadium in what is expected to be an interesting MLS game. The Royals aim to recover from a 3-0 loss to Los Angeles FC and they are likely to fight tooth and nail against Portland. The likes of Jasper Loffelsend, Zack Farnsworth, and Erik Holt should miss out with injuries.
The Timbers, on the other hand, aim to build on a 3-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps. Portland, though, are not considered good travellers and we do not believe that they are capable of collecting more than one point from Thursday’s clash. As for the visiting side, all Eryk Williamson, Felipe Mora, David Ayala, and Tega Ikoba remain in the treatment room. The opposition back-line should have Brazil international Evander at bay as the 24-year-old scored a brace in the last league match.
Highlighted Player (Justin Meram):
Over the years Justin Meram has established himself as one of the best Iraqi footballers. The centre forward, who is capable of playing as a winger as well, was born in Shelby Charter Township, Michigan on December 4, 1988, but he represents Iraq on the international stage.
During his college career Justin Meram played for the likes of Yavapai Roughriders and Michigan Wolverines and in 2011 he joined MLS club Columbus Crew. Meram scored 37 goals in 188 appearances for the club in MLS before signing a deal with Orlando City in January, 2018.
The Iraq international made his debut for the Lions in a 1-1 draw with DC United on March 4 and he scored his first goal for the club on May 14 in a 2-1 loss to Atlanta United. As for his international career, Justin Meram made his Iraq debut in November, 2014 in a 1-0 defeat to Kuwait. The Orlando City attacker wears the number 9 shirt.
Highlighted Team (Portland Timbers):
Founded in 2009, Portland Timbers is a soccer club based in Portland, Oregon. The Timbers are well known for their green kit and their secondary colours are red and black. Portland welcome their opponents at Providence Park and the capacity of their home ground is 21.144.
The club hold a long-running rivalry with Seattle Sounders as the two clubs used to face each other in the North American Soccer League. In 2015 Portland Timbers did remarkably well to win the MLS Cup and that is considered the club’s biggest success.
The Timbers defeated Columbus Crew in the final of the tournament and it has to be noted that the title game was hosted by Mapfre Stadium (Columbus).
Former Premier League footballer Liam Ridgewell played for Portland in the 2015 MLS Cup final against Columbus Crew. Speaking of the club’s supporters, you should have in mind that the Timbers sold out almost every home game in the MLS. Portland’s main supporters group is the Timbers Army.
Wolves 
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Leicester 
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Ipswich 
Brighton
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Lazio 
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Fiorentina 
