LA Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes Preview
The weekend of Major League Soccer (MLS) rivalry games wraps up on Sunday with the Los Angeles Galaxy hosting the San Jose Earthquakes at Dignity Health Sports Park for the first California Clasico of 2024. LA secured the top spot in the Western Conference table with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps last time around, while the Earthquakes are at the bottom of the conference standings after a 3-0 loss at home to the Colorado Rapids.
After a challenging start to the 2023 campaign, everything seems to be falling into place for Greg Vanney’s squad in 2024. The former MLS Cup-winning coach faced significant pressure to deliver results this season, and so far, his team has risen to the occasion. Currently tied on points (15) with Inter Miami in the Supporters’ Shield standings, they have won nine more points than they did in their first eight league games last year.
LA remains undefeated at Dignity Health Sports Park in 2024, securing five points from three regular-season matches and achieving their only clean sheet of the domestic campaign in their previous home game. They enter this clash on a five-match unbeaten streak against the Earthquakes in this competition, clinching victories in four of those encounters, including a 3-1 win in Silicon Valley earlier this season.
On the other hand, Luchi Gonzalez’s side has struggled to translate halftime talks into results this season, suffering their third consecutive defeat in the competition last week. San Jose has conceded the highest number of goals (20) in the 2024 campaign thus far, with 14 of them coming in the final 45 minutes of matches. Despite scoring first in all four of their away matches, the Earthquakes have failed to secure a single point on the road, losing each game by a single goal.
Their last away victory came against the Vancouver Whitecaps last August (1-0), and they will be eager to turn their fortunes around against the Galaxy.
LA Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes team news
LA Galaxy
Eriq Zavaleta sat out the Galaxy’s last match due to a head injury, while Jalen Neal continues to recover from an abdominal issue and is expected to be sidelined for a few more weeks. Emiro Garces, on loan from Deportivo Pereira in the Colombian top flight, is yet to make his debut for LA.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Cuevas made his first appearance of the 2024 regular season last week, coming on for Miki Yamane in the final five minutes of the game.
San Jose Earthquakes
Bruno Wilson sustained a knee injury during warmups just before the clash faced Austin FC and was unavailable for the match against the Rapids. Daniel Munie is still sidelined with a lower-body issue, while JT Marcinkowski continues his rehabilitation from a torn ACL.
Additionally, Vitor Costa and Michael Baldisimo were both questionable last weekend due to lower-body injuries and were ultimately not included in the team sheet.
LA Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes predicted lineups
LA Galaxy
Why change something that works? And right now, for La Galaxy, things are working well with just one loss in their last eight games.
Predicted XI: John McCarthy; Miki Yamane, Edwin Cerrillo, Maya Yoshida, Julian Aude; Mark Delgado, Gaston Brugman, Riqui Puig; Miguel Berry, Dejan Joveljic, Joseph Paintsil
San Jose Earthquakes
Things aren’t going well for the Quakes and even then, Luchi Gonzalez has little option but to play something close to his best possible side.
Predicted XI: William Yarbrough; Carlos Akapo, Rodrigues, Tanner Beason, Paul Marie; Jackson Yueill, Carlos Gruezo, Niko Tsakiris; Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse, Benjamin Kikanovic
LA Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes head-to-head
Played: 96; LA Galaxy: 45, San Jose: 33, Draws: 18
Last five games:
- San Jose Earthquakes 1-3 LA Galaxy (MLS)
- San Jose Earthquakes 2-3 LA Galaxy (MLS)
- San Jose Earthquakes 2-2 LA Galaxy (MLS)
- LA Galaxy 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
- San Jose Earthquakes 2-3 LA Galaxy (MLS)
LA Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes predictions
These matches have often led to a lot of goals being scored with more than 11 goals scored in their last three games and if does turn into a goal fest, that should favour the Galaxy. They’ve been firing on all ten cylinders and have thrived in the final third this season. The Quakes, haven’t been great either defensively or offensively which could hurt them.
Prediction: LA Galaxy 3-2 San Jose Earthquakes
LA Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes betting tips
Betting Tips:
Both teams to score: Yes
Over 3.25 goals: No
Odds:
- LA Galaxy: 1.65
- Draw: 4.75
- San Jose Earthquakes: 5.00
LA Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes timings and telecast
- Dignity Health Sports Park – 22nd April – 12:15 am GMT
- India: MLS Season Pass
- United Kingdom: MLS Season Pass
- US: Apple TV
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