San Jose vs LAFC Predictions, Preview, Stream, Odds & Picks, Aug. 20

LAFC Just Rolling Along

LAFC didn’t have its usual full squad Tuesday, but still found a goal to beat 10-man D.C. United, 1-0, at home. That’s now sevens win in a row, the eighth shutout overall. Playing without Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale (MLS version of load management), while Kwadwo Opoku, Ryan Hollingshead and Latif Blessing started on the bench.

Opoku netted the game-winner in the 67th minute, just five minutes after entering and seven minutes after D.C. had just 10 men. The LAFC offense has bagged 54 goals this season, tops in MLS. Cristian Arango leads the team with  dozen, ranking in the top five in the league. He’s a solid option to wager.

Former MLS MVP Carlos Vela has eight goals on the season along with a team-best nine assists. The partnership of Vela and Arango has 20 goals, among the highest-profile scoring duo in the league this season. Behind them, Jose Cifuentes has seven goals and six assists this season.

So, not only have LAFC scored 54 goals this season, they’ve surrendered just 24, the fewest in MLS. That’s a +30 goal differential. Maxime Crepeau has started 24 of the 25 games, eight clean sheets (three in the last five).

Ebobisse a Bright Spot

Earthquakes haven’t won at home since July 3, beating the Chicago Fire, 2-1. Since then, two losses and a draw,. They’re just 4-3 with five draws in 12 home games on the season. They haven’t been home since August 3, drawing, 3-3, in Austin and losing, 4-1, at Dallas on their two-game trip through Texas.

Jeremy Ebobisse scored in both games in Texas, the former Portland Timbers’ striker leads San Jose with 14 goals this season (third in MLS), while soccer odds have the Earthquakes favored to score in this Saturday game. Cristian Espinoza (six) and both Jackson Yueill and Benjamin Kikanovic (four) are other goal scorers to watch.

San Jose’s surrendered a league-leading 53 goals, while the ‘Quakes allowing at least two goals in seven of the last eight (19 games this season). Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski returned after missing a start. He’s surrendered 50 goals in 24 games this season.

The Earthquakes said that USMNT assistant Luchi Gonzalez will take over as their new coach after the World Cup. Interim head coach Alex Covelo will remain for the rest of the season, the team firing Matias Almeyda in April.

San Jose vs LAFC Head-to-Head

These teams have met 11 times in MLS action since LAFC joined the league. The Black and Gold have outscored San Jose, 30-16, leading the series, 7-4. They’ve never tied. However, the San Jose Earthquakes won the last three games played at PayPal Park (2-0 and 2-1 last season, 3-2 in 2020).

LAFC were big favorites in Las Vegas odds when they beat San Jose, 3-2, in late May. Ebobisse tied the game in the first half with a pair of goals before Brian Rodriguez netted the game-winner in the 47th minute. Vela has five career goals against San Jose, while Arango has three.

San Jose vs LAFC Game Information

• Game: LAFC (18-4-3) vs San Jose  (5-11-9)
• Location: PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
• Day/Time: Saturday, Aug. 20th, 2022, 10:00 p.m. ET
• Live stream: fubo.tv

San Jose vs LAFC Betting Lines

San Jose vs LAFC Prediction

The MLS betting odds don’t usually have a team as such large underdogs at home, but that is the case here. San Jose at priced +245 to grab all three points in the match. Goal under/over is at 3½.

The soccer picks for this game favor the LAFC to win. They haven’t been beaten since adding Bale and Chiellini, outscoring the opposition, 19-5 since adding the European stars. San Jose’s been outscored, 14-8, in their last six, and will have trouble staying with LAFC in this one.