Portland Timbers will look to move into the automatic playoff qualification spots in the West when they host Austin FC at Providence Park on Wednesday.

Although Los Verdes' playoff dreams may be considered over, they will look to end their six-game winless streak against the home team this weekend and secure their first win since late August.

Game preview

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The Portland Timbers continue to struggle for results on their travels as they were only able to salvage a 1-1 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on Sunday.

The Timbers fell behind in the third minute Brian White broke the deadlock and gave the hosts the lead Jonathan Rodríguez Just before half-time they restored the equalizer and thus forced a share of the spoils.

The Portland Timbers have now failed to win any of their last four away games, drawing two and losing two, including a 3-1 loss to St. Louis City in the League Cup Round of 32 on August 10.

After two consecutive away games Phil NevilleSeattle's men return to Q2 Stadium where they have gone 11 consecutive games without defeat and have won nine and drawn two since a 2-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders on May 12.

The Portland Timbers will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Wednesday when they take on a team that has failed to win any of the last six meetings between the teams and has five wins and a draw since a 3-1 loss on the year August 2021.

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Austin FC, on the other hand, were a bit disappointed at the weekend as, despite an impressive second-half comeback, they were held to a 2-2 draw by Real Salt Lake at Q2 Stadium.

After a relatively uneventful first half Matt Crooks And Diogo Goncalves scored a goal within 17 minutes to give Real Salt Lake a commanding lead Jader Obrian And Guilherme Biro scored a goal in the final 10 minutes to give the hosts a hard-fought point.

Since defeating Nashville 2-0 at Geodis Park on August 25, Austin has now gone five consecutive games without a win – losing three and drawing two – a streak that has all but fulfilled their hopes for postseason football over.

After finishing 12th in the Western Conference standings last season, Josh WolffManchester United's men are expected to go two years in a row without a playoff appearance as they currently sit 11th in the table with 36 points from 31 games, nine points behind Wednesday's hosts in the second play-in -Place.

While Wolf can be proud of the solid work of the defenders, who have conceded just 44 goals in MLS, Los Verdes' poor season can be attributed to a lack of penetration on the attacking side of the pitch, where they have scored just 34 goals in the previous ones 31 games – only Nashville (31) and New England Revolution (33) have scored fewer.

Portland Timbers Major League Soccer form:

Austin FC Major League Soccer form:

Team news

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Mason Toye missed games against the Vancouver Whitecaps over the weekend after suffering a back injury against Real Salt Lake on September 22, and the American forward is questionable for the Portland Timbers.

With his goal against the Whitecaps, Rodriguez now has 16 goals and five assists in 26 league games this season and the Uruguayan striker will certainly be one to watch.

Rodriguez will form the attacking quartet Antony Alves, Santiago Moreno And Felipe Morawho has 14 league goals to his name while Diego Chara And Christian Paredes should combine in the midfield pivot.

On the defensive end of the field Juan Mosquera, Miguel Araujo, Dario Zuparic And Kamal Miller should form the back four with the Canadian international Maxime Crepeau start again in goal.

As for Austin, Wolff cannot rely on the 32-year-old goalkeeper's services Matt Bersanowho has been out of action since August with a leg injury.

Joining him on Los Verdes' injury list is an experienced defender Matt Hedgeswho is expected to miss his fourth straight game after suffering a hip problem against Toronto FC on September 15th.

Possible Portland Timbers starting lineup:
Crepeau; Mosquera, Araujo, Zuparic, Miller; Chara, Paredes; Alves, Moreno, Rodriguez; Mora

Possible Austin FC starting lineup:
Stuver; Desler, Cascante, Hines-Ike, Biro; Bukari, Wolff, Ring, Gallagher; Obrian, Driussi

We say: Portland Timbers 2-0 Austin FC

The Portland Timbers return to Q2 Stadium for the first of their final two home games of the season against a struggling Austin team that ran out of steam at the end of the season.

Neville's men enjoyed this game better and we're backing them to extend their dominance over Los Verdes with a comfortable win.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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