Verdict: LA Galaxy draw no bet
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Luckster
Two sides battling it out at opposite ends of the Western Conference table, LA Galaxy will travel to San Jose in the early hours of Sunday.
San Jose Earthquakes
Starting with the hosts, putting in another woeful performance last weekend as they fell to a 6-2 drumming away at Los Angeles, San Jose find themselves at the heart of a public MLS crisis. Sat rock-bottom of the Western Conference table and breaking a host of unwanted records, the Earthquakes are already sat 14 points adrift of finding a route into the play-off places. Opening June with a 5-1 defeat at the hands of New York City, interim boss Ian Russell has an almighty job on his hands. Including an action-packed 4-2 loss at home against Cincinnati on June 16th, San Jose have lost all of their previous four MLS appearances. Crashing out of the US Open Cup last month against USL outfit Sacramento Republic, Sunday’s hosts have collected just a single point from any of their previous eight top-flight appearances. Gaining a real reputation for their glaring defensive struggles and remarkably shipping 51 MLS goals so far this season, the Earthquakes should have another stern examination on their hands this weekend.
Team News
Picking up a costly second-half booking against Los Angeles last weekend, one-time Lens defender Victor Costa will miss out here as the 29-year-old serves a one-match suspension. Likewise, all still dealing with respective injury issues, San Jose will be unable to call upon the trio of Jamar Ricketts, JT Marcinkowski and ex-Internacional goalkeeper Daniel.
Although Jeremy Ebobisse might have notched just a single MLS strike since back on April 22nd, the former Portland striker should keep his spot spearheading San Jose’s attack. Bagging a consolation strike away at LAFC last week, 24-year-old Benjamin Kikanovic could be handed a full recall here.
LA Galaxy
As for the visitors, while LA Galaxy might have failed to collect a play-off ticket last season, Greg Vanney’s men have made a string of improvements this time around. Continuing to receive a string of plaudits from across America’s elite, the former Toronto boss should be smelling another golden opportunity here. Last seen putting in another rugged performance as they clinched a 1-0 victory away at Real Salt Lake, the MLS giants should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Making a statement on June 20th as they secured a 2-0 win against New York City, LA Galaxy have now collected 15 points from their previous six MLS appearances. Battling it out at the top of the Western Conference standings and looking to climb to the top of the pile here, Vanney’s men have suffered just a single defeat from any of their last 10 matchups. Claiming an action-packed 4-3 victory against San Jose when they last met their local rivals on April 22nd, the Whites will be relishing a trip across California here.
Team News
Although midfield talisman Riqui Puig might have missed all of LA Galaxy’s last three MLS appearances, Vanney’s side remain hopeful that the former Barcelona starlet will be able to play some part here. However, dealing with a recent muscle injury and not making a single appearance over the past month, former Parma star Gaston Brugman is not expected to play any part in the early hours of Sunday.
Bagging a second-half winner away at Real Salt Lake last weekend and recording six MLS goals so far this season, 23-year-old Gabriel Pec will play a leading role. Returning from a knock earlier in the month, former Genk ace Joseph Paintsil will join Pec in the final third.
Key Factors to Consider
- When San Jose and LA Galaxy last met back on April 22nd, Sunday’s guests collected a 4-3 victory at Dignity Health Sports Park.
- Along with winning all of their previous three MLS appearances, LA Galaxy have collected 15 points from their last six appearances.
- San Jose have lost all of their previous four consecutive MLS appearances by an aggregate score of 19-6.
- Likewise, the Earthquakes have collected just a single point from any of their previous eight MLS appearances.
- LA Galaxy have suffered just a single MLS defeat over the past two months.
Conclusion
Two sides who are battling it out at opposite ends of the Western Conference table, LA Galaxy should be smelling a golden opportunity here. Mustering 15 points from their previous six MLS appearances, Sunday’s guests will be relishing a trip across California in the early hours of Sunday. Meeting a San Jose squad who are at the heart of a public nightmare, the Whites will also be excited by a rampant record. Winning all of their previous three showdowns against the Earthquakes by an aggregate score of 10-7, we are backing an away draw no bet.
Verdict: LA Galaxy draw no bet
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Luckster
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