Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy MLS 2019: Where to Watch, Live Stream, Latest Team News and Odds

Having talked the talk in abundance, Zlatan Ibrahimovic walked the walk against Los Angeles City FC. The Swede had claimed he was still the best player in the MLS and lived up to his reputation with a hat-trick as the Los Angeles Galaxy beat their local rivals 3-2 in El Trafico last week.

The challenge for Ibrahimovic and his teammates now is to use that performance as a springboard. If their recent form is anything to go by, that could prove tricky. The Galaxy have lost three games in the last six, with each loss followed by a win and consistency proving frustratingly elusive.

A trip to Portland on Saturday is certain to test the Galaxy's mettle. The Timbers are unbeaten in five games and arrive into the game on the heels of a 2-1 win against the Seattle Sounders last weekend.

Portland remains two points adrift of a playoff berth in the Western Conference, but is one of the in-form sides in the MLS at the moment and will fancy its chances against the Galaxy.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of Saturday night.

When and where is the game?

The Timbers take on the Galaxy at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time (10:30 p.m. ET) on Saturday, July 27.

TV coverage

The game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1 with English commentary and on FOX Deportes with Spanish commentary.

Live stream

Live stream will be available via FOX Sports digital platforms as well as via FOX Sports Go.

Team news

The Timbers will still be without Marco Farfan, as the defender continues to recover from a knee injury, while midfielder Andy Polo is a doubt and Diego Chara is suspended.

The Galaxy will be without long-term absentee Romain Alessandrini, while midfielders Chris Pontius, Sebastian Lletget and Perry Kitchen remain in doubt.

Ibrahimovic, meanwhile, will be available after escaping punishment for elbowing LAFC's defender Mohamed El-Munir last week. The incident, which left El-Munir with a facial fracture, was missed by the referee and the MLS' Disciplinary Committee did not reach a unanimous verdict when deciding if the contact was worthy of a red card.

Had that been voted on unanimously, Ibrahimovic would have been banned for two games but he has only received a formal warning instead.

Recent form

Three wins in a five-game unbeaten run have injected fresh life into Portland's playoffs hopes just at the right time. The Timbers beat bitter rivals Seattle Sounders last week thanks to a Brian Fernandez brace to move within two points of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, which is currently held by Houston Dynamo.

The Galaxy also toasted a win against their main rivals last weekend, edging El Trafico 3-2 against Los Angeles FC thanks to a Zlatan Ibrahimovic's hat-trick.

The win moved the Galaxy in second place in the Western Conference, nine points adrift of their local rivals. Pleasing as earning the local bragging rights was, Guillermo Barros Schelotto's men must now back up the result against Portland. The Galaxy have sorely lacked consistency so far this season, winning three and losing three in their last six games.

Series record

The last five meetings have been split between the two teams, with the Galaxy winning 2-1 at home in April and by the same scoreline in March 2018.

Portland claimed both games in 2017, winning 3-1 at home and 1-0 in Los Angeles, while the game ended in a 1-1 draw in June last year.

Odds

According to Oddschecker, Portland is a 57/100 (-175) favorite, while the Galaxy are 17/4 and the draw is at 17/5.