Major League Soccer action resumes on Friday night in the Western Conference as third-placed Los Angeles Galaxy square off with the resurgent San Jose Earthquakes.
This promises to be a fascinating matchup with LA’s attacking duo of Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes matching wits with the Quakes’ Chris Wondolowski and new Argentine signing Matias Perez Garcia.
Read on for our analysis of this important Western Conference showdown. You can also catch our preview of another vital Western matchup between FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids here.
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San Jose Earthquakes vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, Major League Soccer, Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: StubHub Center, Los Angeles, California
When: Friday, August 8, 10:30 PM ET
Line: San Jose Earthquakes (+589) at Los Angeles Galaxy (-287), tie (+346); total – 2.5 – see all MLS lines
Betting on the San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes are coming off a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over Western Conference leaders Seattle Sounders last Saturday as they climbed their way out of the bottom spot of the Western standings.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]San Jose’s attacker Yannick Djalo made history as he scored the first-ever goal at Levi’s Stadium in the 42nd minute in front of 48,765 screaming fans to stun the Sounders and re-energize the Quakes’ hopes of reaching the playoffs.
The Earthquakes are just seven points behind fifth-placed Colorado Rapids for the final playoff spot with three games in hand and they have a great chance to cut to that lead even further when they travel to Los Angeles to face the Galaxy.
The Earthquakes will be missing the services of forward Steven Lenhart, though, who underwent knee surgery last Friday and will be out for at least a month. Adding to San Jose’s injury worries is Djalo who, after scoring the winner against Seattle, went off injured with a quadriceps muscle strain and is doubtful for the game against the Galaxy.
Fortunately for San Jose, forward Chris Wondolowski is in fine form, having elevated his game since returning from international duty with the United States’ World Cup team. Wondolowski leads the team in scoring with 13 goals, accounting for more than half of the 23 goals that the Earthquakes have scored so far this season.
He has been instrumental in the Earthquakes’ current three-game unbeaten run which started with their last-gasp 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls last July 19. Further boosting their bid to avoid missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year was the signing of Matias Perez Garcia from Argentine club CA Tigre.
The Earthquakes were able to beat out top Argentine sides River Plate and Racing FC for the services of the 29-year-old playmaker whose signing signifies a tactical shift for the club known for their “Bash Brothers” style of play. The Argentine native scored 16 goals and delivered 10 assists in 77 appearances for Tigre and his attacking style will be a welcome addition to the Earthquakes who are currently struggling on the offensive end.
The Quakes have won just once in their last five games on the road.
Betting on the Los Angeles Galaxy
The LA Galaxy head into this game on the strength of back-to-back victories as they strengthened their grasp on the third spot in the Western Conference standings, lying just five points behind the league-leaders Seattle Sounders with a game in hand.
In fact, the Galaxy have won four of their last five games, mainly because of their forward play. Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes have been exceptional for the club lately combining for 10 goals in the Galaxy’s last five games, helping the Galaxy stretch their league-leading goal differential to +15.
Everybody expected club captain Robbie Keane to bang in the goals (12 so far) but Zardes has been a pleasant surprise for the Galaxy this season. The 22-year-old hometown hero has been on a goal-scoring spree scoring eight goals this season, seven of those coming after June 8.
The Galaxy are just four points above the drop zone but their current form will leave fans confident that they can qualify for the playoffs and capture the MLS Cup for the fifth time this season. The Galaxy have been on a tear at home lately, winning their last three home games by a combined score of 9-2.
This is the second meeting of the clubs this season with the Galaxy emerging victorious against the Earthquakes 1-0 in their first encounter at San Jose last June 28.
Writer’s Prediction
The LA Galaxy will stop the San Jose Earthquakes’ three-game unbeaten run as they continue their march to the top of the Western Conference standings. Create a betting account now and cash in on all the top-flight action in the MLS.
