Real Salt Lake will be taking on Portland Timbers in the first-round match of the Western Conference playoffs.
Real Salt Lake sits at the third spot in the Western Conference with 53 points. Meanwhile, Portland finds itself at sixth with 49 points.
Match Details
Date- Sunday. October 20 | Kick-Off- 7:30 AM (IST) | Venue- Rio Tinto Stadium
Real Salt Lake
Jordan Allen and Nick Besler will be on the sidelines due to injuries. Whereas, Luke Mulholland is in doubt as a result of a hamstring injury.
Apart from them, Freddy Juarez has a fully fit side and should go with the full monty against Portland Timbers.
Rimando should be between the sticks, while Herrera, Glad, Onuoha and Toia occupy the defence. A midfield four of Savarino, Luiz, Beckerman and Baird could be expected. Rusnak and Kreilach should be the two players who play as the two centre forwards.
Portland Timbers
Jeff Attinella remains a long term absentee after undergoing surgery to the shoulder. Modou Jadama, Julio Cascante, Andres Flores, Tomas Conechny and Kendall Mcintosh are in doubts of featuring against Real Salt Lake. Brian Fernandez is also ruled out for the forthcoming playoff.
Giovanni Savarese would have to make do with a fresher outlook as a result of the injury list. Clark to start up at goal. while Moreira, Mbaiala, Tuiloma, Vilafana could occupy the back four. Polo, Chara and Paredes should be expecting in midfield. Whereas, a front three of Valeri, Blanco and Ebobisse seems a prominent option.
Predicted Lineups
Real Salt Lake- Rimando, Herrera, Glad, Onuoha, Toia; Savarino, Luiz, Beckermann, Baird; Rusnak, Kreilach
Portland Timbers- Clark; Vilfana, Tuiloma, Mabiala, Moreira; Paredes, Chara, Polo; Blanco, Valeri, Ebobisse
Key Points
Portland has won its last four games against Real Salt Lake in all competitions.
Portland has scored two goals or more in the last three games in the league.
Top Picks
Sebastian Blanco has played the anchor role from midfield for Portland Timbers this season. Blanco has scored six goals and has made six assists for his side of the 30 appearances.
For Real Salt Lake, Albert Rusnak will be pivotal versus Portland as he has been this season. Rusnak has scored 10 goals while also three assists in 29 appearances.
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PT vs RSLC Dream11 Today Match Prediction
Goalkeeper- N Rimando
Defenders- J Moreira, D Toia, J Glad, L Mabiala
Midfielders- S Blanco (C), A Polo, K Beckerman, A Rusnak
Forwards- J Ebobisse, D Kreilach