Portland Timbers will look to leverage their impressive home form when they host a resurgent Real Salt Lake side that has claimed 10 points from their last 12 available.
Despite missing leading scorer Antony through injury, the Timbers sit fifth in the Eastern Conference with 33 points and have won four of their last six matches at Jeld-Wen Field.
Real Salt Lake arrives in much better shape than their previous meeting in May—which ended in a goalless draw—as Diego Luna continues to shine following his impressive Gold Cup performance with the U.S. national team.
Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Portland Timbers vs Real Salt Lake matchup, our predictive model gives the Timbers a 75% chance of defeating the RSL.
Portland Timbers: 75% win probability
- Superior home field advantage (currently 5th in Western Conference with 33 points)
- More potent offense (31 goals scored compared to RSL's 23)
- Better recent form (LWLDW with 3 wins in last 5 compared to RSL's 2)
Real Salt Lake: 25% win probability
- Struggling away record (contributed to 10 losses overall, 11th in standings)
- Limited offensive production (only 23 goals in 21 matches, among lowest in conference)
- Defensive vulnerability (28 goals conceded despite playing fewer games than most teams)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top MLS experts to give you a clear edge. Rather than digging through countless opinions, you can rely on our predictions to reflect the broader market sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing expert picks, team data, and betting trends—then our AI assigns a confidence score to each prediction. These scores are averaged to create an 'expert opinion' win probability, offering a data-driven snapshot of what the smartest minds in MLS are thinking..
| Portland Timbers | Real Salt Lake | Draw | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moneyline |
Best MLS sportsbook promos
Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake preview
Portland Timbers face a surging Real Salt Lake side at Jeld-Wen Field on Thursday with both Western Conference rivals hunting valuable playoff positioning points.
The fifth-placed Timbers continue their strong home form despite missing leading scorer Antony through a hamstring injury, having won three of their last four at home including a gritty 2-1 victory over New England Revolution.
RSL arrives rejuvenated after enduring a seven-game winless streak earlier this season, now taking 10 points from their last 12 matches to climb within striking distance of the final play-in spot.
These teams battled to a cagey 0-0 draw just two months ago, but both sides are finding the net more consistently now—Portland has scored in six straight matches while RSL's Diego Luna returns from national team duty where he netted twice for the USMNT in Gold Cup semifinal action.
The Timbers' defense has looked vulnerable despite their success, conceding in all six recent matches, while RSL's recent tactical adjustment to a 4-2-3-1 formation has brought newfound stability to their backline.
William Agada, who scored RSL's winner against Houston last time out, will lead the visitor's attack against a Portland side that's been particularly formidable at home this season.
Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake form
Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake head to head
Portland Timbers
67%
Real Salt Lake
33%
May 15, 2025
Real Salt Lake
0 : 0
Portland Timbers
Sep 22, 2024
Real Salt Lake
3 : 3
Portland Timbers
Jul 14, 2024
Portland Timbers
3 : 0
Real Salt Lake
Aug 31, 2023
Portland Timbers
2 : 1
Real Salt Lake
May 18, 2023
Real Salt Lake
0 : 0
Portland Timbers
May 11, 2023
Portland Timbers
3 : 4
Real Salt Lake
Betting on the MLS?
Sporting Post is your go-to source for MLS betting. We offer expert MLS predictions, top picks, and up-to-date MLS odds. Our in-depth game analysis and real-time insights help you place smarter bets with confidence. We also review and test the best online sportsbooks, betting apps, and the best betting sites. Check out our top-rated MLS betting sites and soccer betting apps to find the best options for secure, reliable wagering.
