Two sides in MLS's Wester Conference are looking to build up a head of steam as Seattle Sounders take on Portland Timbers.
Seattle Sounders currently sit top of MLS's Western Conference having won eight, drawn two and lost six their sixteen games this season.
Seattle are currently at risk of undoing much of their good work in the early games of the season as their form has tailed off significantly of late following a strong start.
They're largely still top of the league virtue of having played more games than the two sides below them and they're coming into this one having won two and lost three of their last five games.
Their most recent game saw them fall to a 0-1 defeat to San Jose Earthquakes, a result that marked their third loss in four games.
Their form at home is no better either, with Seattle having lost three of their last four games on home soil.
Seattle will likely lose top spot in the coming weeks but they need to try and regain some of the momentum that's been lost in recent weeks and they can start by taking three points here.
Portland Timbers currently sit 10th in MLS's Wester Conference with four wins, four draws and seven losses from fifteen games this season.
It's been an up and down season thus far for a Portland side that have struggled for consistency, and that does not look like improving anytime soon as they enter this game having won one, drawn two and lost two of their last five matches.
Their most recent game saw them battered 4-1 away at Sporting KC, a result that confirmed a second straight defeat.
Away from home they have struggled more having won one, drawn one and lost three of their last five games on the road.
Portland have won their last two head-to-head meetings with Seattle by a combined scoreline of 6-2, and while the odds are against them here they can use that to gain some confidence.
This game could be closer than the oddsmakers have it down but the most likely outcome feels like a home win here.
For our Seattle vs. Portland prediction, we're going for a 2-1 win for the home side.
