Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy Previews & Picks - The Timbers and Galaxy to share the points in the MLS

Two Western Conference strugglers go head-to-head in the early kick-off on Saturday as the Portland Timbers host a misfiring LA Galaxy at Providence Park. 

The Portland Timbers are unbeaten against Galaxy in their last two meetings. They triumphed 4-1 on the road in a friendly back in February, while they took a point on the road in a 1-1 draw last season. 

The Portland Timbers have frustrated so far this season, with an inability to build on what was a very impressive start to the season holding them back. 

A battling 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City in their opening match meant they were sitting in the top-half of the table after a single game. While this means little at such an early stage of the season, the Timbers will have been hoping for a sustained run of positive results.

Instead, they have been beaten by LAFC, St Louis City and Atlanta United in a run that has seen them concede 10 goals in three games. If they are to get something from this one, the Timbers need to find a way to tighten things up at the back. 

LA Galaxy have struggled to get going this season, with three games failing to result in a win for the side. 

An opening day loss to FC Dallas saw their season start in difficult style, and while they have avoided defeat in their last two games, they have failed to win either. A 0-0 draw with Sporting Kansas City was followed by another drab draw as they shared the points with the Vancouver Whitecaps. 

LA Galaxy need to start scoring goals, or they will continue to languish in the lower-part of the table.