San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders FC Prediction, Preview and Odds - 9/29/21
Seattle has a chance to extend a 14-match unbeaten run against San Jose on Wednesday night. The Sounders have not only dominated the series, but they are also currently in first place in the Western Conference. San Jose is three points out of a playoff spot, so this would be an ideal time to snap its skid against the visitors.
Seattle's defense is elite
Seattle has been the strongest team in the Western Conference this season. It has picked up wins in two of its last three matches, beating Minnesota and Sporting Kansas City. The Sounders dropped a 1-0 final at Real Salt Lake on the road in between those wins. They bounced back with Sunday’s 2-1 victory against SKC. Seattle got on the board first when Cristian Roldan scored 31 minutes into the match. Will Bruin doubled the lead 10 minutes after halftime before the club allowed their only goal five minutes later. Seattle surpassed Sporting KC in the standings with the victory.
The Sounders had lost their previous six matches against Kansas City dating back to 2013. They are now two points up in the Western Conference table, while Colorado is also just three points back. Coach Brian Schemtzer chose to adjust his formation from a 3-4-2-1 to a 3-5-2 on Sunday. This is going to be a quick turnaround for Seattle, but it is used to a lack of rest. The Sounders have not had a full week off since the end of August. Roldan has now scored in his last two matches. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei conceded three goals on four shots in the Leagues Cup final last week and then gave up a goal on a routine save against SKC.
San Jose is pouring in the goals
San Jose comes into this match on a two-game winning streak. It has played three exciting contests in a row, dating back to a 4-3 loss to Real Salt Lake on Sept. 15. The Earthquakes bounced back from that setback with a 4-3 win at Austin three days later. They trailed 3-1 at halftime, but Javier Lopez delivered two goals five minutes apart from each other in the second half. Marcos Lopez and Cristian Espinoza also got on the score sheet. Lopez had a hat trick against Real Salt Lake in the previous match. San Jose built on that momentum with a 2-0 win over LAFC on Saturday.
Benjamin Kikanovic scored three minutes into the contest and Lopez added yet another goal two minutes after halftime, giving him six goals in his last three outings. Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski stopped all three shots he faced in the clean sheet. The Earthquakes have 33 points on the season, which puts them three points back of Real Salt Lake for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They are tied with Vancouver and LAFC in the standings—they will face those teams in subsequent road matches after this contest. Espinoza is going to miss this match due to a yellow card suspension.
Spread (Seattle PK)
Sometimes certain rivalries become so lopsided that the stats just do not make sense anymore. Seattle has certainly been the better club over the last few years, but this 14-match unbeaten run goes well beyond that factor. The Sounders match up well against San Jose and they have earned a mental edge in the series. They are not going to take them lightly on Wednesday, as they have plenty of work to do to maintain the top seed in the table. San Jose has been leaky defensively over its last few matches, so I will gladly take Seattle in a pick’em contest.
Total (Over 2.5)
This is a ridiculously low total for a match involving San Jose. The Earthquakes have seen 16 combined goals scored in their last three contests. Their attack has the ability to score three-plus runs in any given match, while their defense can allow the same number. Seattle has a very explosive offensive attack that can take advantage of San Jose on Wednesday. The Sounders also have one of the best goalies in the MLS, but Frei has not been himself in his last two matches. This is another factor that is providing value on the over.