Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 29 May 2025

Portland Timbers will host Colorado Rapids at Providence Park on 29 May 2025, in what promises to be an intriguing Major League Soccer encounter. Both teams are neck-and-neck in the standings, with the Timbers sitting in 13th place on 23 points, just one point ahead of the Rapids in 15th.

Portland has shown resilience at home, scoring in every match this season at Providence Park. And with a commanding record against Colorado, having won four of the last five meetings, they are the bookmakers’ favorites at odds of 1.72. Their last encounter saw Portland triumph with a 3-0 win.

The Rapids, led by top scorer Djordje Mihailovic with six goals, will look to build on recent wins to shift their fortunes. However, with key players injured and the team’s tendency to concede goals just before halftime, this will be an uphill battle.

Portland Timbers vs Colorado Rapids Prediction & Betting Tip

• Home Advantage: Portland Timbers have consistently scored in every home match this season, making Providence Park a fortress for them.
• Strong Recent Head-to-Head Record: They have won four of the last five meetings against Colorado Rapids.
• Offensive Performance: The Timbers average 1.53 goals per match, showcasing their attacking prowess.

Portland Timbers vs Colorado Rapids Odds

The Portland Timbers are slightly favoured to win according to the bookmakers. A home victory for the Timbers carries odds of 1.72, reflecting their strong home performance and historical edge against the Rapids. A draw is set at 4.03, with a potential away win for the Colorado Rapids given odds of 4.12, reflecting their recent struggles and underdog status.

These odds hint at a tightly contested match but emphasise Portland’s home advantage.

Portland Timbers Team Analysis

Portland Timbers Recent Performance

The Portland Timbers have had a mixed bag of performances in their last five matches, registering one win, two draws, and two losses.
They’ve managed to keep two clean sheets in this period, which shows some defensive resilience. Though their attack hasn’t been prolific, averaging just 0.40 goals per game, their recent matches have demonstrated an ability to secure crucial points. Their steady defense coupled with their scoring capabilities at home will be critical in this upcoming match.

Portland Timbers Key Players

Portland Timbers will be looking to their key players to make a difference in the match against Colorado Rapids. Leading the charge is Felipe Mora, the team’s top scorer this season with 5 goals. He will be crucial in breaking down the Colorado defense.
The midfield will be anchored by Cristhian Paredes and David Ayala, who will need to control the tempo and supply Mora with opportunities to find the back of the net. Santiago Moreno will also play a vital role on the left wing, providing pace and creativity.
At the back, Dario Zuparic and Finn Surman are expected to form a solid central defensive partnership, aiming to withstand any pressure from Colorado’s forwards.

Expected lineup for Portland Timbers:

• Goalkeeper: Maxime Crepeau
• Defenders: Juan Mosquera, Dario Zuparic, Finn Surman, Jimer Fory, Omir Fernandez
• Midfielders: David Costa, David Ayala, Cristhian Paredes, Santiago Moreno
• Forward: Kevin Kelsy

Keep an eye on the individual battles, particularly Mora against Andreas Maxsø, which could be pivotal in determining the outcome.

Portland Timbers Suspensions & Injuries

Portland Timbers are grappling with several injuries ahead of their match against Colorado Rapids. Key players like James Pantemis, Zac McGraw, Diego Chara, and Jonathan Rodriguez are sidelined, which could impact Phil Neville’s squad depth and tactical flexibility.

These absentees may force Neville to make some adjustments, especially in midfield where Chara’s experience will be missed. Expect the remaining squad members to step up and fill in the gaps as best as they can. The team’s performance and depth will be tested with these key players out.

Portland Timbers Tactics and Formation

Portland Timbers Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Likely a 5-4-1
• Key Forward: Kevin Kelsy, aiming to lead the attack.
• Midfield Quartet: David Costa, David Ayala, Cristhian Paredes, Santiago Moreno
• Defensive Line: Five-man backline consisting of Mosquera, Zuparic, Surman, Fory, and Fernandez
• Goalkeeper: Maxime Crepeau, who is expected to hold the fort.

Portland’s defense will lean heavily on their five-man backline, which has contributed to two clean sheets in the last five games. With a robust midfield featuring Paredes and Moreno, they aim to control possession and create opportunities, looking for that crucial breakthrough. Kelsy at the front will be crucial in converting these chances into goals.
Neville’s side usually shows a balanced strategy but will need to exploit Colorado’s vulnerability, particularly between the 31-45 minute interval when they tend to concede most goals.

Colorado Rapids Team Analysis

Colorado Rapids

The Colorado Rapids have had a mixed bag of recent results. Their form in the last five matches stands at two wins and three losses, indicating some inconsistency.

Recent Performance: WWLLL

Despite the recent two wins, the Rapids have struggled, scoring only 0.60 goals per game on average in the last five. They have also managed to keep two clean sheets in the same period. However, their inconsistency remains a challenge as they prepare to face the Portland Timbers.

Colorado Rapids Key Players

Expected lineup for Colorado Rapids:

• Goalkeeper: Nicholas Defreitas-Hansen
• Defenders: Reggie Cannon, Andreas Maxsø, Chidozie Awaziem, Jackson Travis
• Midfielders: Oliver Larraz, Josh Atencio, Theodore Ku-DiPietro, Djordje Mihailovic, Sam Bassett
• Attackers: Darren Yapi

Key player Djordje Mihailovic stands out, as he is the team’s top scorer with 6 goals this season. His playmaking skills and ability to find the net make him pivotal to their attack.

The defense, led by Andreas Maxsø, will have their work cut out facing Portland’s Felipe Mora. Key battles between Mihailovic and Portland’s experienced defenders, like Dario Zuparic, could be decisive.

Colorado Rapids Suspensions & Injuries

The Colorado Rapids are facing a challenging injury list with several key players sidelined. Ali Fadal, Rafael Navarro, Zack Steffen, and Cole Bassett will all miss the match due to their respective injuries.

This could impact the team’s defensive stability and midfield creativity significantly. The absence of Zack Steffen in goal will put extra pressure on Nicholas Defreitas-Hansen to perform. Colorado’s depth will be tested, and the team will need to rely on their bench to fill these gaps effectively.

Colorado Rapids Tactics and Formation

Colorado Rapids’ Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Djordje Mihailovic
• Midfield Duo: Oliver Larraz and Josh Atencio
• Defensive Setup: Reggie Cannon and Jackson Travis man the full-back positions, with Andreas Maxsö and Chidozie Awaziem as centre-backs.

The Rapids rely on Djordje Mihailovic, their top scorer with six goals, to manage the attack from the attacking midfielder role. Their formation ensures width through the wings with Theodore Ku-DiPietro and Sam Bassett. With two clean sheets in their last five games, their defensive stability is notable. Their strategy often involves a pressing game in the midfield to regain possession and launch quick attacks. Key to this strategy is maintaining a tight defensive midfield pair to disrupt opposition plays and support their backline effectively.

Portland Timbers vs Colorado Rapids Head-to-Head Statistics

Portland Timbers have dominated recent head-to-head encounters, winning 4 out of the last 5 meetings with the Colorado Rapids. Their most recent match ended in a convincing 3-0 victory for the Portland Timbers on March 23, 2025.

Odds accurate as of 27.05.2025 03:34, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.