Sunday’s MLS Tips: Jesus Ferreira can strike for Dallas against Portland

There is an all-Western Conference Sunday doubleheader in Major League Soccer, which begins with the red-hot St. Louis City FC welcoming LA Galaxy to town. 

That result will have implications on FC Dallas, who could jump past St. Louis if they beat the Portland Timbers in the late kick-off. Peter Galindo has his say on the important match-ups.

St. Louis City FC v Los Angeles Galaxy

Kick-off: 6pm Sunday BST

Even for an expansion side, St. Louis City have been otherworldly in their inaugural season. They sit atop the Western Conference with 28 points and have blown the doors off teams at home.

Luckily for St. Louis there will be more home cooking over the next couple of weeks, starting with the L.A. Galaxy on Sunday. St. Louis have demolished visiting sides so far, scoring three or more goals on six occasions at CityPark.

It could be more of the same as the Galaxy, who have just 12 points from 15 matches, have scored the second-fewest goals in MLS in 2023. Expect another entertaining affair with the hosts likely to come out on top once again.

Prediction: St. Louis City to win and Over 2.5 goals @ 2.96

Portland Timbers v FC Dallas

Kick-off: 3am Monday BST

Even though these sides sit at either end of the Western Conference, there hasn’t been much to separate the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas in recent contests. Over the last 10 meetings, the Timbers have three victories, Dallas has four wins and there have been three draws. 

The head-to-head stats might be negligible, but they still slightly favour the visitors. And given FC Dallas have the in-form Jesus Ferreira - an American international who has 10 goals in 17 matches, which includes two in his last three appearances - it will be hard to look away from another success.

The sole worry in that regard is that Portland’s defence has been pretty stingy. The Timbers have conceded more than one goal just once in their last five games, with two clean sheets in that span. That being said, Ferreira has shown a propensity for cracking some of the league’s sturdiest back lines and should be backed to net here.

Prediction: Jesus Ferreira anytime goalscorer @ 2.92

Sunday’s MLS Tips

St. Louis City FC v Los Angeles Galaxy: St. Louis City win and Over 2.5 goals @ 2.96
Portland Timbers v FC Dallas: Jesus Ferreira anytime goalscorer @ 2.92