Major League Soccer returns to the fold this Saturday when Los Angeles FC play hosts to San Jose Earthquakes at the Banc of California Stadium in the 15th game week of the campaign. Kickoffs at 01:00 EAT.
The host occupies the top most spot in the western conference standings with 26 points, two points about Austin FC in the second place. Los Angeles has easily been the best team in the conference having climbed to the top of the table in no time. They have also been superb at home lately, and their only defeat here came against the second-placed Austin FC.
Los Angeles FC will want to make amends following 3-1 Open Cup losing effort to Los Angeles Galaxy in their most recent game. In that match, LAFC managed 55% possession, 10 shots with only one of them on target and a goal scored by Ryan Hollingshead 85’. LA Galaxy got 17 shots with five of them on target and goals by Kevin Cabral 51’, Javier Harnandes 57’ and Dejan Joveljic 81’.
Meanwhile, San Jose has been struggling since the start of the season currently placed 11th in the Western Conference. The Earthquakes posses the worst defensive record in the division, and has conceded goals at a rate of more than two per game to date – a major factor in former coach Matias Almeyda’s recent sacking. That may now leave them particularly vulnerable against the league’s most potent side.
San Jose Earthquakes and their travelling fans will look for better results coming off 2-0 Open Cup defeat at the hands of Sacramento Republic last time out. In that match, San Jose Earthquakes managed 70% possession and 17 shots with five of them on target. Sacramento Republic got 10 shots with four of them on target and goals by Luis Felipe Fernandes 28’ and Rodrigo Lopez 83’.
Los Angeles FC vs San Jose Earthquakes head to head
Los Angeles FC boasts a slight upper hand in the history of this fixture having won seven times out of the 11 head to head meetings since 2018. San Jose has won four times.
- Los Angeles 3-1 San Jose 16/10/21
- San Jose 2-0 Los Angeles 26/09/21
- San Jose 2-1 Los Angeles 09/08/21
- San Jose 3-2 Los Angeles 05/11/20
- Los Angeles 1-2 San Jose 28/09/20
Home
- LA Galaxy 3-1 Los Angeles
- Columbus 0-2 Los Angeles
- Los Angeles 1-2 Austin
- Colorado 2-0 Los Angeles
- Los Angeles 2-0 Portland
Away
- Sacramento Republic 2-0 San Jose
- San Jose 1-1 Kansas City
- San Jose 3-2 Portland
- Vancouver 3-3 San Jose
- Seattle 9-10 San Jose
Los Angeles FC team news
Erik Dueñas and Eddie Segura are not available for Los Angeles FC gaffer Steve Cherundolo due to injuries.
San Jose Earthquakes team news
George Asomani is the only injury concern for boss Matías Almeyda.
Prediction and odds
LA is unbeaten in 13 of their past 16 overall fixtures and in the process they went on separate three-game and four-fixture winning streaks while San Jose is winless in nine of their 10 road trips and in the process they went on separate three-game and four-fixture losing streaks.
- Los Angles FC Win
- Goals over 2.5
- Both teams to score (No)
