Reigning MLS Cup champion LAFC kick off their season on Saturday when the club hosts the Portland Timbers at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Last season LAFC won the Supporters' Shield for the best regular season record and then advanced through the playoffs, capped by a thrilling, penalty-shootout victory over the Philadelphia Union in the MLS Cup to earn the franchise's first league title. Meanwhile the Timbers narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season, finishing eighth in the Western Conference.

Kickoff is 4:30 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists LAFC as the -255 favorites (risk $230 to win $100) in the latest LAFC vs. Portland odds, with the Timbers the +625 underdog. A draw is priced at +380. The over/under for total goals scored is 3.5.

Before you lock in your Portland vs. LAFC picks or MLS predictions, you must see what soccer bettor Jon (Buckets) Eimer has to say. (For more soccer coverage, click here.)

Eimer is a high-volume bettor who has vast knowledge of leagues and players across the globe. Since joining SportsLine, he has covered the English Premier League, Serie A, the FA Cup and much more. Since the end of last year's World Cup he has been red-hot, going 57-31-2, returning $2,590 for $100 bettors.

Eimer knows that LAFC had success against Portland last season. Steve Cherundolo's men won both of their matchups against the Timbers in 2022. The first was a 2-0 win in the U.S. Open Cup, and the second was a 2-1 victory on the penultimate weekend of the season.

But Eimer also has taken into account that the Timbers added a playmaking midfielder in the offseason in Evander. The 24-year-old from Brazil had 50 goals and 58 assists in 167 appearances with FC Midtjylland of the Danish league prior to joining Portland on a club-record transfer fee. His arrival is widely regarded as one of the biggest acquisitions by any MLS team in the offseason.

Now, Eimer has taken an in-depth look at the LAFC vs. Portland matchup and locked in his pick. He is leaning Under the goal total and has identified one pick for Portland vs. LAFC. He also has a full breakdown of this match. You ABSOLUTELY need to see his pick and analysis before making any selections of your own. 

What is the best bet you can make for the LAFC vs. Portland match on Saturday? ... Join SportsLine now to see Jon Eimer's picks for Portland vs. LAFC, all from the expert who is 57-31-2 on all picks since the end of the World Cup!