90min
·28 July 2024
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Yahoo sports90min
·28 July 2024
Club Leon and Portland Timbers will go head-to-head Sunday night in Leagues Cup action.
Leon's start to the Liga MX 2024 Apertura campaign hasn't been anything to write home about with one defeat and three losses, and they'll hope to turn over a new leaf as they begin Leagues Cup play this weekend. With players like Jhonder Cadiz and Jose Alvarado leading the line, Leon could cause problems for opposing defenses.
The Timbers fell 3-2 to Western Conference foes LA Galaxy last time out after two straight wins in league play. New head coach Phil Neville had guided the team to eighth place in the Western Conference table, and the ex-Inter Miami boss has an attack that's up there with the best in the league with Jonathan Rodriguez and Evander spearheading the charge.
Here's 90min's guide to Club Leon vs the Timbers.
* This is the first-ever meeting between Club Leon and Portland Timbers.
Federico Vinas is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury / Jam Media/GettyImages
Striker Federico Vinas is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury suffered back in late May, and the 26-year-old is expected to return to the mix in September. Full-back Ivan Moreno is also a doubt for the contest with a knock.
Club Leon predicted lineup vs Portland Timbers ( 4-1-4-1): Blanco; Guerra, Barreiro, Bellon, Reyes; Frias; Alvarado, Ambriz, Alcivar, Cabral; Cadiz.
David Ayala is set to miss the game with a leg problem / Lyndsay Radnedge/ISI Photos/GettyImages
Midfielder David Ayala is sidelined with a leg injury and is expected to return to action by mid-August, while winger Marvin Loria is recovering from a knee injury suffered back in February and is on track to get back to full strength by early August.
Portland Timbers predicted lineup vs Club Leon ( 4-2-3-1 ): Pantemis; Mosquera, Miller, Zuparic, Bravo; Chara, Paredes; Moreno, Evander, Rodriguez, Mora.
All signs are pointing to Portland winning with a dramatic, last-minute goal from star midfielder Evander. Club Leon will give them fits with their array of talented strikers, but Portland have plenty of quality in the wide areas of the pitch to do enough damage and claim victory.
Prediction: Club Leon 0-1 Portland Timbers