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The LA Galaxy visit Portland amidst a freefall towards the bottom of the table. Losers in their first three straight matches, the Galaxy already look like they may be out of the title picture in the Western Conference despite a MLS Cup victory just a few months ago. Now Portland is their latest opponent looking to take advantage of LA while they are down. Read on for an expert Portland vs LA Galaxy prediction and explore stats and a breakdown of LA Galaxy odds for 2025.
- Major League Soccer
- Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy
- Sunday, March 16, 2025
- 4:45 PM EST
- Providence Park, Portland, OR
- MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, Fox Sports, FOX
Portland vs LA Galaxy Prediction: LA Galaxy Odds to Win
Portland maintains a slight edge in the eyes of sportsbooks, likely due to their home status in this top-tier Western Conference clash. The Timbers are (+131) to win. LA Galaxy are (+196) underdogs, good for an implied probability to win of 33.8%. A draw pays out at (+270) at top online sportsbook Bovada.
MLS 
Portland +131 +131 +130 LA Galaxy +196 +191 +190 Draw +258 +262 +270
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Portland Timbers Results, Transfers and Recent News
Just like the visiting LA Galaxy, Portland have been underwhelming in their initial 2025 MLS proceedings. The club has scored just twice in their first three matches, although just the one was needed to get the victory against Austin in their last game at Providence Park. Their curtain-raiser was a 4-1 home defeat to Pacific Northwest rivals Vancouver.
What should be most concerning to the “Timbers Army” is a whopping 24 shots allowed against Nashville in their last match. Nashville was one of the worst clubs in the MLS last year and had not scored yet coming into Saturday’s match. In fact, they had just 23 shots combined in their first two games. Portland found itself right in the middle of the pack in most defensive statistics last season, so a performance like that is cause for concern.
Fittingly, Portland are now in the middle of the MLS table at 12th in the Western Conference with 3 points. The Timbers will likely look to newcomer David Da Costa for aid in reversing their fortunes. The 24-year-old winger arrived from Ligue 1 side RC Lens in style, scoring a beautiful free kick in his second match. Going for the back post on a free kick from the left side, Da Costa wisely took advantage of the keeper’s hesitancy to leave the goalline in case of any deflection, allowing the ball to drop right into the net.
LA Galaxy Stats: Why Are the Defending Champions Struggling?
Crowned champions of the MLS after defeating the New York Red Bulls in the Final of the MLS Cup Playoffs, the LA Galaxy came into 2025 feeling like the best dressed on prom night. But the festivities did not continue into the new term, as the Galaxy realized all too late. Three straight defeats have now set the Galaxy into a crab swirl.
The first bombshell was a 2-0 home loss to San Diego FC, the newest member of the MLS. Then, a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Vancouver after a late game-winner from Vancouver’s Brian White. In the CONCACAF Champions Cup, LA lost the first leg to Costa Rican side Herediano. Unable to buck the trend, the Galaxy fell to St. Louis 3-0 at home.
So what is the cause of this shocking turn of events for the defending champions? The obvious answer and missing piece of the puzzle for the LA Galaxy is likely Riqui Puig. Last season’s best player for the LA Galaxy suffered a torn ACL during the playoffs and is anticipated to miss the majority, if not all, of this season. The former Barcelona midfielder was a constant presence for the Galaxy and while his contributions were not flashy, they were critical to bridging the gap between the back and the front for the club.
Portland vs LA Galaxy Prediction: Expert Betting Pick on Total
Portland and the LA Galaxy are both soul-searching at the moment. Neither has anything to be happy about through three games of the season and will be desperate to get back in the winning column. A fourth consecutive league loss for the Galaxy would be devastating, considering they had just 8 all of last season.
Portland’s woeful defensive outing against Nashville has me thinking the Galaxy will exorcise their own attacking demons. The Galaxy were the West’s highest scoring club last season, so even without Puig they should see some regression to the mean sooner rather than later. The odds for this match to finish over 2.5 goals are set around (-160), a number I think is too low.
My projections have over 2.5 goals lined at (-213), which offers us some value here. The Galaxy scored four goals in their second leg with Herediano this Wednesday. That further bolsters my belief their scoring ability will return shortly. To get us closer to a 50/50 bet and avoid paying such heavy juice, I will advocate for a play on the over 3 goals flat.
Bovada and BetOnline both have the over 3 currently lined at (-102). Take this bet and root for some good finishing and plenty of goalmouth action from two clubs itching to reassure their fanbases.
Odds are accurate at time of writing but subject to change.
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