Preview: Portland Timbers vs. Minnesota United - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors snapped a six-game winless run last time out, and will be looking to claim their fourth away victory of the campaign this weekend.

Match preview

After a lengthy weather delay, the Portland Timbers managed to grind out a scoreless draw against Real Salt Lake, just one week after being knocked out of the US Open Cup by RSL.

The stalemate marked the first clean sheet of the season for Portland goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic, who made crucial saves all night for the Timbers and extended his side's unbeaten streak to four matches.

Giovanni Savarese's men reacted well to the cup defeat against Real Salt Lake when they returned to MLS football last weekend, by beating the Vancouver Whitecaps thanks to Franck Boli's strike and a brace from Evander.

The Timbers currently find themselves sixth in the Western Conference with four wins, four draws and five losses so far this campaign, and will be looking to climb the table further this weekend.

Minnesota managed to earn their first win of the month on Thursday, with a 1-0 triumph over the Houston Dynamo, courtesy of Bongokuhle Hlongwane's 14th-minute strike.

That victory snapped a six-game winless run in the league for Adrian Heath's side, although the Loons have managed to secure a place in the round of 16 of the US Open Cup in recent weeks.

A 3-1 victory over Detroit City set up a round of 32 clash with the Philadelphia Union which ended 3-3 after 120 minutes of action, with Minnesota eventually prevailing on penalties.

The Loons currently sit seventh in the Western Conference, two points clear of playoff-chasing Austin FC in 10th, and Heath's side have found more joy on their travels than in front of their fans this season, picking up nine points from seven games on the road - the fifth-best record in the league.

Portland Timbers Major League Soccer form:

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Minnesota United Major League Soccer form:

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Team News

Evander has been in sparkling form for the hosts in recent weeks, so the Brazilian looks set to retain his place in the starting XI on Sunday.

Aljaz Ivacic earned his first clean sheet of the season last time out against Real Salt Lake, so he looks set to start between the sticks for the Timbers this weekend, while Savarese may opt to keep the same defensive pairing of Zac McGraw and Dario Zuparic.

As for the visitors, Minnesota centre-back Mikael Marques is expected to be sidelined until later this month due to an ankle injury, while fellow defender Bakaye Dibassy has not featured for the hosts since suffering a tendon injury back in August.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane has scored three in his last three appearances for Minnesota so he looks likely to retain his place in attack.

Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:

Ivacic; Mosquera, McGraw, Zuparic, Bravo; D. Chara, Paredes; Moreno, Evander, Blanco; Boli

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:

St Clair; Boxall, Kallman, Tapias; Taylor, Dotson, Lod, Arriaga, Lawrence; Hlongwane, Amarilla

We say: Portland Timbers 1-1 Minnesota United

Portland come into this match as the side in better form, however, Minnesota have one of the better away records in the division.

Therefore, we think this will be a closely-fought contest with the sides sharing the spoils.

How to watch

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