Sports Mole previews Thursday's Major League Soccer clash between Austin FC and Portland Timbers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Having both returned to winning ways last time out, Austin FC and Portland Timbers go head to head at the Q2 Stadium on Wednesday evening.

In a game that features two of the highest scoring teams in the Major League Soccer, the clash promises to be an open and end-to-end affair.

Match preview

Portland Timbers boss Giovanni Savarese on August 21, 2022 © Reuters

Portland Timbers ended a run of five games without a win courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders at the Providence Park on Saturday.

Giovanni Savarese's men went behind to Yeimar Gomez's opener inside the opening 10 minutes before hitting back through goals from Dairon Asprilla and Sebastian Blanco.

As a result, the Oregon-based side have moved up to seventh in the Western Conference standings, two points clear of nearest challengers Los Angeles Galaxy albeit having played three more games.

Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit with little to choose between the teams judging by previous meetings with the previous four encounters yielding two wins apiece.

With just one victory in their most recent 12 away outings, Wednesday's visitors will be looking to turn their fortunes around on the road.

Alexander Ring in action for Austin FC on August 20, 2022 © Reuters

Austin were victorious in front of their fans for the second game running as they saw off the threat of Los Angeles FC in an emphatic 4-1 triumph.

Josh Wolff's men raced to a commanding lead in under one hour thanks to strikes from Diego Fagundez and Sebastian Driussi either side of Maximiliano Urruti's double before Cristian Arango pulled one back.

Having picked up 51 points from 27 games this term, Los Verdes remain second in the Western Conference, adrift of leaders Los Angeles by six points.

Currently with the best attacking home record in the division, Wednesday's hosts will be keen to put on another superb display in front of goal on their own patch.

Austin FC Major League Soccer form:

Portland Timbers Major League Soccer form:

Team News

Austin FC's Hector Jimenez is yet to feature since July due to a knee injury and the 33-year-old is unavailable for Thursday's match.

Sebastian Driussi has now scored eight goals in his last seven games and continues to lead to scoring charts.

Felipe Mora is still recuperating from a recent knee surgery, making the Chilean a guaranteed absentee for Portland Timbers' visit to Texas.

Diego Gutierrez remain ruled out of action with a foot problem but the forward is drawing increasingly closer to making his return to action.

Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Lima, Cascante, Gabrielsen, Gallagher; Ring, Pereira; Finlay, Driussi, Fagundez; Urruti

Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Tuiloma, Zuparic, McGraw, Bravo; Chara, Williamson; Moreno, Chara, Blanco; Asprilla

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We say: Austin FC 3-1 Portland Timbers

Austin FC have been ruthless in front of goal all-season long and they will be looking to enjoy another field day here. We are tipping the home side to emerge victorious in what should be a truly exciting affair.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.