San Jose Earthquakes vs. LAFC Prediction, Preview and Odds - 8/8/21
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Los Angeles FC
The San Jose Earthquakes face off against Los Angeles FC, as the MLS betting action continues Sunday, August 8, 2021. The Quakes meet the Black and Gold for the first time this season, and San Jose will aim for its third straight victory over LAFC. The hosts opened as +250 underdogs to win, while LAFC is listed as a -120 fave, so let’s take a closer look at this Western Conference showdown at PayPal Park in San Jose.
The Quakes are undefeated in six straight outings
San Jose has been playing in a strange form over the last few months. The Quakes are unbeaten in their previous six games overall, but they’ve recorded only one victory in their last 13 outings at any location, tallying six draws and six losses in the process.
San Jose surprisingly beat Seattle on the road on the last day of July, 1-0. The Quakes are coming off a 1-1 draw at Portland this past Wednesday which was their fifth road contest over the last six matchdays. In their previous five showings at home, the Quakes have earned just one point, so they are currently sitting at the 10th spot of the Western Conference standings with 18 points (W4, D6, L7) and a 19:26 goal difference.
Javier Lopez scored his fourth goal of the season last Wednesday to join Cade Cowell on the top of the Quakes’ scoring chart. Cowell also has four assists on his tally, while Cristian Espinoza has added four assists and a couple of goals. The Quakes have no serious selection problems, so we should see their best eleven Sunday.
The Black and Gold are winless in four consecutive games
Los Angeles FC played its last three games at home, earning just a a couple of points in the process and suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to Sporting Kansas City this past Wednesday. The Black and Gold are now winless in four straight outings, as they’ve lost 2-1 at Portland in their previous outing on the road.
LAFC is sitting at the fifth spot of the Western Conference standings with 23 points (W6, D5, L6) and a 23:23 goal difference. The Black and Gold are only three points ahead of the eighth-placed Portland Timbers and five points ahead of San Jose.
The head coach Bob Bradley has some injury worries ahead of Sunday’s clash, as centre-back Jesus Murillo (hamstring) is questionable to play, while another CB Eddie Segura (knee) is done for the season. The Black and Gold will continue to lean on midfielder Jose Cifuentes and forwards Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela, who have scored five goals each.
The Pick: Double Chance 1X
LAFC has some serious problems at the back. Although their offense is one of the best in the MLS, the Black and Gold will have a tall task to satisfy the odds at PayPal Park. The hosts should have the momentum on their side, as the Quakes must be fired up to extend their streak after staying undefeated in five straight road tilts.
Hereof, I’m backing the double chance on San Jose at -110, though the totals seem like a more attractive wager. As I’ve mentioned, the Quakes have won their last two games against LAFC, but the Black and Gold have won six of their eight head-to-head duels overall.
The Pick:Both Teams to Score YES
Eddie Segura’s absence is a massive blow for LAFC. Jose Murillo missed the previous game with a hamstring injury, and the Black and Gold conceded four goals at home in a tough matchup against San Jose.
LAFC has allowed a whopping 10 goals in its last four games, scoring six in a return. Both teams have found the net in the Black and Gold’s last five tilts, while six of San Jose’s previous seven contests saw both teams scoring. Hereof, give me BTTS YES at -190.
