With nine games left in the MLS regular season, LAFC can become the first team in the league to clinch a playoff spot.
MLS Regular Season
While they are aiming much higher than just making the playoffs, a win or draw on Saturday at San Jose gets LAFC into the playoffs. They could even clinch a top-four seed with a win and the right mix of results from other contests.
San Jose, on the other hand, sits in 13th place out of 14 teams in the West, 33 points behind LAFC. As they get ready to host LAFC at PayPal Park on Saturday night, the Earthquakes announced that USMNT assistant Luchi Gonzalez will take over as head coach after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Matchup Preview
These teams met in Los Angeles on May 28, and LAFC won 3-2 after blowing a 2-0 lead in the first half. Carlos Arango and Ryan Hollingshead scored in the first half for LAFC, and Jeremy Ebobisse scored twice in 15 minutes to tie the game before the break. Brain Rodriguez scored in the 47th minute, and LAFC held on for the 3-2 win.
MLS meetings
In 11 all-time MLS meetings, LAFC has outscored San Jose 30-16, and they have seven wins. Last year San Jose won at home twice, 2-0 and 2-1. They also beat LAFC at PayPal Park 3-2 in 2020.
San Jose Earthquakes v. Los Angeles Football Club Odds Breakdown
In the MLS odds, LAFC is a road favorite, pretty unique in MLS action. They are -120 to win on the money line, while San Jose is +245 on the money line to win outright. A draw is listed at +310, and these teams have never tied in their 11 meetings.
Over 3.5 goals is +115 for the game, and under 3.5 goals is -140. For those exploring other ways of how to bet soccer, both teams to score is -220.
On the spread odds, LAFC is -115 to win, +215 to win by two goals or more, and +550 to win by three goals more.
San Jose Earthquakes v. Los Angeles Football Club Betting Preview
San Jose Earthquakes Analysis
San Jose hasn’t played at home since August 3, when they lost to Inter Miami 1-0. Since then, they have drawn 3-3 at Austin FC and lost 4-1 at FC Dallas. They have gone six in a row without a win and have been outscored 14-8 in that span.
Interim manager Alex Covelo lines up in a 4-2-3-1 with Ebobisse up top. The former Portland striker scored last week at Dallas and leads San Jose with 14 goals on the season. He enters the LAFC contest having scored in two straight games.
Cristian Espinoza and Benjamin Kikanovic started in attack behind Ebobisse in Dallas. Kamiro Monteiro was the central midfielder, with Judson and Jackson Yueill in support as the defensive midfielders. Espinoza is the second leading scorer behind Ebobisse with six goals, while Yueill has four.
A Tough Matchup
This is a tough matchup for the Earthquakes as LAFC has scored 54 goals, and San Jose has allowed an MLS-worst 53.
Paul Marie and Tommy Thompson started at the outside back last week, with Tanner Beason and Nathan Cardoso as center backs.
Dallas scored four goals against that back line, and the Earthquakes have given up multiple goals in 19 games this season.
Earthquakes Lineup Breakdown
Goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski has played in every game but one this season. He has allowed 50 goals in those 24 starts while making 86 saves. He has five wins, eight draws, and two clean sheets.
Covelo has been in charge since April. The club fired Matias Almeyda after the team was winless in the first seven games with just three draws. Gonzalez will take over after the World Cup as the next permanent manager.
Los Angeles Football Club Analysis
It is no accident that LAFC sits atop the MLS standings after 25 games. They have the best offense in league with 54 goals, and they possess the best goal differential in MLS stats at +30. The Black and Gold beat D.C. United on Tuesday night to get their seventh straight win since July 2.
LAFC has won three straight road games with a 2-1 win in Nashville, a 2-0 win in Kansas City, and a 4-1 win at Real Salt Lake.
Their last loss overall was 1-0 at Vancouver Whitecaps on July 2, one of two times this year they have been shutout.
Arango Leading
Arango leads the team with 12 goals on the season, while Carlos Vela has eight and Jose Cifuentes has seven. Vela has five career goals against San Jose and leads LAFC with nine assists on the season.
European newcomers Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini took the game off Tuesday. Manager Steve Cherundolo cited load management for the duo who played in Europe before joining LAFC and MLS in July with barely a month off.
With 22 different players who have started a game this season and 15 who have scored, LAFC can dip into those reserves to rotate the squad. Kwadwo Opoku scored the game-winner against D.C. United on Tuesday.
Los Angeles Football Club Lineup Breakdown
Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau posted his second straight shutout, and he has not allowed more than one goal since a 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy on July 8.
Vela, Arango and Rodriguez started in attack against D.C. United with Cifuentes, Ilie Sanchez, and Kellyn Acosta in the midfield.
Latif Blessing, Opoku, and Ryan Hollingshead came off the bench in the midfield in the second half and are all options to start in San Jose.
With Chiellini on the bench, Franco Escobar and Diego Palacios started at the outside back on defense. Eddie Segura and Jesus Murillo took the middle in front of Crepeau.
Mamadou Fall subbed on for Segura in the final moments, and if Chiellini returns to the lineup Saturday, it is likely in place of Segura.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Los Angeles Football Club Pick and Prediction
The offense of LAFC is too strong for San Jose. Ebobisse is in good form and may be able to find a goal in this one, but not enough to lift San Jose to a win.
Who to Bet On?
LAFC has the luxury of being able to rotate their team and stay fresh. They will clinch a playoff spot Saturday night and take the next step in what could be a dream season.
Look for Arango to be on target for LAFC and climb up the MLS stats sheet for most goals in a season.
Score Prediction: LAFC 3, San Jose 1
Soccer Pick: LAFC to win (-110)
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