Portland Timbers vs CF Monterrey Odds, Betting Prediction, Picks

Portland Timbers vs CF Monterrey Predictions

The odds are stacked in Monterrey’s favor for this fixture, as they are on a five-match unbeaten streak. In addition, the club is also unbeaten in their last 5 away matches. With Friday’s Round of 32 fixture taking place at Providence Park, it is yet another away match for the Rayados. 

Portland Timbers have been quite inconsistent in the MLS this season. They sit 12th in the table, after registering only six wins in 23 games. The 2015 MLS champions boast a decent record in elimination stage matches. Out of the last ten fixtures, they have won six in regulation time, lost one, and drawn three. In a total of ten attempts, Portland Timbers have been eliminated just thrice in competitive club knockout matches.

Monterrey, on the other hand, look like the favorites to win this tie. They finished the league stage of the last Clausura phase of Liga MX at the top of the table, winning 13 of their 17 league stage matches. The five-time Liga MX champions have carried the good form into the current Apertura season, and are unbeaten in the first three matches, with two wins and one draw. 

CF Monterrey and Portland Timbers have never faced off in a competitive tournament before. While Monterrey have tasted victory on numerous occasions in knockout format competitions, Portland Timbers have not played a single elimination match since 2021.

The MLS side also has a poor record against Mexican clubs. They lost their group stage tie against the Rayados’ rivals, Tigres UANL in the tournament. Portland Timbers will hold on to dear life to advance to the last 16 of the Leagues Cup.

Meanwhile, Monterrey will be confident of sealing a victory. The Mexican side is no stranger to beating American clubs. They have won the CONCACAF Champions League five times in five attempts. In the current edition of the Leagues Cup as well, they have already faced two American clubs - Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders - and scored emphatic victories over both in the group stage.

Portland Timbers Will Try to Survive

Portland Timbers have won only two of their previous five games so far. They have played a Mexican club only once in the group stage, and have lost that encounter. Their form in the MLS has also been poor, having managed to win only six out of 23 games before the break. 

Their two victories in the last five games both came against American sides. They beat Columbus Crew just before the MLS break followed by a win over San Jose Earthquakes in the Leagues Cup group stage.

Giovanni Savarese’s side will be desperate to nab a victory to survive in the 2023 Leagues Cup, as they are dangerously close to the bottom of the MLS table.

Portland Timbers Need to Make Providence Park a Fortress

The clash between these two clubs is guaranteed to be a tight contest. Despite poor form, the American side has managed to get on the scoresheet in both of their group-stage matches. Meanwhile, despite being in good form, Monterrey failed to keep a clean sheet against Seattle Sounders.

Portland Timbers do not have the greatest home form, as they have only won five of their 11 games at Providence Park this season, drawing and losing three games each. If they are to advance to the next round, the American side needs to keep out the Monterrey attack effectively. 

Inventive Midfielder Could Be the Savior 

Evander Ferreira was the man who found the back of the net in both group-stage games for Portland Timbers. While Felipe Mora also got on the scoresheet in the victory over San Jose Earthquakes, Ferreira added the lone goal for the side in the 2-1 defeat to Tigres UANL. 

The 25-year-old Brazilian was signed from Midtjylland in December 2022. He has a three-year contract that will run until December 2026. The attacking midfielder has been a success at Portland, scoring total of seven goals so far.

In the current MLS season, the Brazilian has scored five goals and bagged three assists for his side. Savarese will be looking at Ferreira to be the savior of his team if Portland Timbers are to win on Friday.

Monterrey Maintaining Good Momentum

The five-time Liga MX champions have been in great form this year. Since the last Clausura phase of the Liga MX, Monterrey are on the up and up. They finished the Clausura at the top of the table and reached the semifinals before facing elimination against bitter rivals Tigres UANL. 

In the current Apertura season, Monterrey are undefeated after three games. The club as managed to retain the same form in the Leagues Cup. Unsurprisingly, they finished at top of their group, beating MLS sides Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders convincingly.

This also means the five-time CONCACAF champions are unbeaten against American clubs in the competition so far. The Mexican side is favorite to bag a narrow win against Portland Timbers this Friday.

Monterrey Have Been Clinical in the Final Third

CF Monterrey are in great goalscoring form in the Leagues Cup this year. Fernando Ortiz’s men have found the back of the net a whopping seven times in just two games. As opposed to goals scored, they have conceded only two goals and both came against Seattle Sounders. 

German Berterame is in unimaginable form as he has bagged five of the seven goals scored by the Rayados and also provided one assist. The 24-year-old will be keen to get back on the scoresheet in the knockout fixture. He will pose a real headache for the Portland Timbers defense. 

All Eyes Will Be on the Former Puebla Midfielder

Monterrey signed central midfielder Jordi Cortizo on a three-year deal from Puebla at the end of last year. The Mexican only started two games during the Clausura phase and nabbed a goal in one of those matches. He was used as a substitute throughout the season.

However, in the Leagues Cup, the 27-year-old may have shown the coach why he deserves to be in the starting lineup. The midfielder has already scored one and set up another in the first two games of the competition.

 Monterrey are gunning to make a deep run in the 2023 Leagues Cup, and their attack is their biggest strength. Cortizo has also bagged an assist in his three games in the Liga MX Apertura 2023-24 season.