Jesus Ferreira, FC Dallas

FC Dallas vs San Jose Preview, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips

Arnav Kholkar

FC Dallas vs San Jose Preview

Last season’s mid-table rivals FC Dallas will host San Jose Earthquakes at the Toyota Stadium on Sunday, February 25. This will be the season opener for both teams.

The hosts enter this contest on the back of a decent preseason. They played six games against opponents from all over the world, winning four, drawing one and losing one. Three of those wins were by a 4-1 scoreline as Nico Estevez’s men looked like they meant business. However, they also fell to a 4-1 defeat against Malmo, in a game that served as a reality check. The team were looking to get their campaign up and running with another win.

The visitors, on the other hand, seemed to have been stuck in a rut during their preseason. Of the five games they playes, San Jose won just one, drawing three and losing one. During this time, they scored just five goals as their forwards struggled to gel together. The Quakes’ final preseason game was a 1-1 draw against Vancouver. Kris Leach and his team will look to regroup and perform well once the season begins.

On that note, let’s take a look at the team news from both camps.

Team News

FC Dallas

Manager Estevez will be without three youngsters who are all out with cruciate ligament tears and will likely return midway through the campaign. Wingers Tarik Scott (18) and Alan Velasco (21), as well as defender Geovane Jesus (22) were injured during Dallas’ last campaign.

Apart from that, the manager will have his entire squad fit, available and raring to go as they look to make a strong start to the season.

San Jose

James Marcinkowski, San Jose
Marcinkowski warming up before a game. (Credit: Getty)

Manager Leach will have a fully fit and available squad at his disposal barring two players, both of who were injured last season. Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski (knee) and midfielder Alfredo Morales (adductor) will likely make their return later in the season.

Predicted Lineups

FC Dallas

Estevez went with a near full-strength lineup in Dallas’ first preseason game against Inter Miami, which they won 1-0. He will likely stick with a similar combination.

Predicted XI: Maarten Paes (GK), Sebastien Ibeagha, Nikosi Tafari, Sam Junqua, Herbert Endeley, Liam Fraser, Asier Illaramendi, Dante Sealy, Jesus Ferreira, Eugene Ansah, Paul Arriola (C).

San Jose

Considering their poor preseason record, they will look to turn things around once the MLS campaign begins.

Predicted XI: Daniel (GK), Carlos Akapo, Jonathan Mensah, Rodrigues, Paul Marie, Cristian Espinoza, Carlos Gruezo, Jackson Yueill (C), Matthew Hoppe, Jeremy Ebobisse, Amahl Pellegrino.

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Head-to-Head & Prediction

Last 5 Games Head-to-Head

  • Dallas 1-1 San Jose (10/23)
  • San Jose 1-1 Dallas (05/23)
  • San Jose 1-1 Dallas (09/22)
  • Dallas 4-1 San Jose (08/22)
  • San Jose 1-1 Dallas (11/21)
Ricardo Pepi, Jesus Ferreira, FC Dallas.
Ferreira (R) and Pepi celebrate a goal together. (Credit: Getty)

As you can see, four of their last five meetings have ended in a draw. Also, all of them have had the same 1-1 scoreline. Both teams have netted in each of their last eight meetings, pointing towards another similar outcome this time around.

Dallas leads the head-to-head with one win, with the teams sharing four draws.

Prediction

Considering the preseason these two sides have had, FC Dallas seems like the favorite for this one. Home advantage in their season opener should also bode well.

Prediction: FC Dallas 2-1 San Jose.

Betting Tips

  • Both Teams to Score – Yes: 1.79
  • Over 2.5 Goals – Yes: 2.0
  • Match Result – FC Dallas: 2.10

Match Odds

  • FC Dallas Win: 2.10
  • Draw: 3.35
  • San Jose Win: 3.60

FC Dallas vs San Jose Timings & Telecast

  • Date & Time: Sunday, February 25th at 1:30 AM (GMT).
  • India: Apple TV MLS Season Pass.
  • UK: MLS Season Pass.
  • US: MLS Season Pass (match), Apple TV (HLs).

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