7M - Major League Soccer Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs Los Angeles Galaxy - prediction, team news, lineups

San Jose Earthquakes vs LA Galaxy: Hosts eye top spot as visitors target playoff push

San Jose Earthquakes will host LA Galaxy in MLS at PayPal Park at 4:30 am BST this Sunday morning.

The hosts will be aiming to climb to top spot in the Western Conference with a win, while the visitors will be bidding to move into the playoff places with a victory.

Match preview

San Jose have struggled in recent games, particularly at home, as they are currently winless in their last three at PayPal Park, with their most recent defeat being a 4-0 loss to Orlando City.

This was the largest margin of defeat the Quakes had suffered in MLS since a 6-1 loss to the Portland Timbers in September 2020, and it equalled their worst ever home defeat to an Eastern Conference opponent—a 4-0 reverse to D.C. United in June 1998.

The hosts currently occupy second in the Western Conference after 16 matches, with 10 wins, two draws and four defeats giving them 32 points. They are level with top spot, though Vancouver Whitecaps have played a game fewer.

San Jose will be hopeful that a win in this game can reignite a season that started strongly, as they have only secured one win across their last six MLS fixtures.

LA Galaxy have not found things easy this season, currently occupying ninth in the Western Conference with only 17 points from their 20 fixtures.

Another cause for concern will be how loose they have been in defence since the MLS restart following the World Cup break, having conceded three goals in both of their matches since then.

However, all is not lost, as they are only three points off the playoff places at this stage of the season, and it is well within their capability to secure a post-season spot.

Galaxy fans will also be confident that their team can get a result against San Jose, as LA are unbeaten in eight away matches against their opponents in all competitions, with their last loss to the hosts occurring in October 2020.