Explore My Football Facts' detailed preview for Portland Timbers vs SJ Earthquakes in the Major League Soccer. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 02:30 BST match.
Fixture Information
| Fixture | Portland Timbers vs SJ Earthquakes |
|---|---|
| Competition | Major League Soccer |
| Date | Sunday, 24 May 2026 |
| Kick-off | 02:30 BST |
| Venue | Providence Park |
Match Prediction: Portland Timbers 2-1 SJ Earthquakes
Prediction Stats
Fulltime Result Probability
Both Teams To Score Probability
Over/Under 2.5 Probability
Last 5 Meetings
| League | Date | Match | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Soccer | 14 Jun 2025 |  Portland Timbers vs  SJ Earthquakes |
1 – 1 | Providence Park |
| Major League Soccer | 04 May 2025 | SJ Earthquakes vs Portland Timbers |
4 – 1 | PayPal Park |
| Major League Soccer | 20 Jun 2024 | SJ Earthquakes vs Portland Timbers |
1 – 2 | PayPal Park |
| Major League Soccer | 16 May 2024 | Portland Timbers vs SJ Earthquakes |
4 – 2 | Providence Park |
| Major League Soccer | 21 Sep 2023 | Portland Timbers vs SJ Earthquakes |
2 – 1 | Providence Park |
Portland Timbers come into this one with the stronger recent home result in the sample, having beaten Sporting KC 6-0, and they have also shown they can edge tighter games such as the 2-1 win at San Diego. SJ Earthquakes have been involved in a run of higher-scoring matches, but back-to-back 2-3 defeats suggest they have been vulnerable at the back even when they find goals. With no xG data available, the recent scorelines point towards Portland having the more reliable balance.
The head-to-head record also leans slightly towards Portland, with three wins in the last five meetings and only one defeat in that run. SJ Earthquakes have scored in most of their recent games, so they should not be written off, but Portland’s home advantage at Providence Park matters in a fixture that has often produced goals. Match Prediction: Portland Timbers 2-1 SJ Earthquakes
Form Guide & Team Overview
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers’ recent league form shows two wins, one draw and two defeats across their last five matches. The standout result is the 6-0 home win over Sporting KC, which sits alongside a 2-1 away win at San Diego and a 2-2 draw at CF Montréal.
Their two losses in that run were both away from home, 0-2 at Real Salt Lake and 0-2 at Inter Miami. That suggests they have been more competitive when they can control the game better, especially at Providence Park.
Portland Timbers Last 5 Results
| League | Date | Match | Score | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Soccer | 17 May 2026 |  Inter Miami vs Portland Timbers |
2 – 0 | L | Chase Stadium |
| Major League Soccer | 13 May 2026 |  CF Montréal vs Portland Timbers |
2 – 2 | D | Stade Saputo |
| Major League Soccer | 10 May 2026 | Portland Timbers vs  Sporting KC |
6 – 0 | W | Providence Park |
| Major League Soccer | 2 May 2026 |  Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers |
2 – 0 | L | America First Field |
| Major League Soccer | 26 Apr 2026 |  San Diego vs Portland Timbers |
1 – 2 | W | Snapdragon Stadium |
SJ Earthquakes
SJ Earthquakes’ recent league form is mixed, with one win, two draws and two defeats in their last five. They have scored in every one of those matches, including the 2-3 loss to Dallas and the 2-3 defeat away to Seattle Sounders.
The draw results against Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto show they can stay in games, but the recent pattern also points to defensive issues. Their 3-2 win at St. Louis City is the only victory in the sample, so they arrive with some attacking threat but limited consistency.
SJ Earthquakes Last 5 Results
| League | Date | Match | Score | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Soccer | 17 May 2026 | SJ Earthquakes vs  Dallas |
2 – 3 | L | PayPal Park |
| Major League Soccer | 14 May 2026 |  Seattle Sounders vs SJ Earthquakes |
3 – 2 | L | Lumen Field |
| Major League Soccer | 10 May 2026 | SJ Earthquakes vs  Vancouver Whitecaps |
1 – 1 | D | PayPal Park |
| Major League Soccer | 2 May 2026 |  Toronto vs SJ Earthquakes |
1 – 1 | D | BMO Field |
| Major League Soccer | 26 Apr 2026 |  St. Louis City vs SJ Earthquakes |
2 – 3 | W | Energizer Park |
Team News & Injury Report
Portland Timbers
- Zac McGraw (Back Injury)
SJ Earthquakes
- Niko Tsakiris (Groin Surgery)
Lineups & Tactical Setup
Portland Timbers (4-2-2-2)
Predicted lineup: James Pantemis (Goalkeeper), Brandon Bye (Defender), Finn Surman (Defender), Jimer Fory (Defender), Kamal Miller (Defender), Antony (Midfielder), Cole Bassett (Midfielder), Diego Chará (Midfielder), Kristoffer Velde (Midfielder), David Da Costa (Attacker), Kevin Kelsy (Attacker)
Portland Timbers’ predicted 4-2-2-2 should give them a compact base in midfield with enough support to get David Da Costa and Kevin Kelsy into advanced areas quickly. The shape also allows Antony and Kristoffer Velde to provide width and link play, which can help them control territory and create chances between the lines.
SJ Earthquakes (4-2-3-1)
Predicted lineup: Daniel (Goalkeeper), Benji Kikanović (Defender), Daniel Munie (Defender), Jack Jasinski (Defender), Reid Roberts (Defender), Beau Leroux (Midfielder), Ian Harkes (Midfielder), Jamar Ricketts (Midfielder), Ousseni Bouda (Midfielder), Ronaldo Vieira (Midfielder), Preston Judd (Attacker)
SJ Earthquakes’ predicted 4-2-3-1 gives them a clear central reference in Preston Judd, with support arriving from the three attacking midfielders behind him. The double pivot should help them stay organised, but they will need Beau Leroux and Ian Harkes to connect play cleanly if they are to turn possession into chances.
Key Battles & Players to Watch
| Portland Timbers | SJ Earthquakes | Key Battle Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Portland Timbers | SJ Earthquakes | David Da Costa against Benji Kikanović could be important because Portland’s attacker is one of their main creative outlets while SJ Earthquakes will need Benji Kikanović to help limit space on that side. |
| Portland Timbers | SJ Earthquakes | Antony against Beau Leroux is a useful midfield battle, with Antony offering Portland another route into attack and Beau Leroux needing to help SJ Earthquakes stay compact. |
| Portland Timbers | SJ Earthquakes | David Da Costa is key for Portland Timbers because he has been named in the recent and predicted lineups and sits in a role that can influence their chance creation. |
| Portland Timbers | SJ Earthquakes | Preston Judd is key for SJ Earthquakes because he is the central attacking reference in the predicted 4-2-3-1 and their main outlet in the final third. |
FAQs
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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.
