Leading the way in the MLS Western Conference, Los Angeles FC welcome San Jose Earthquakes to Banc of California Stadium on Saturday.
Just days after both sides were eliminated from the US Open Cup, the Californian counterparts convene in LA, where the hosts hope to stretch their two-point lead at the top of the standings.
Match preview
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Averaging both two points and two goals per game so far this season, Los Angeles have taken up residency at the front of the Western Conference grid, but their flying start has since slowed, and they have now lost three of their last four matches.
Their most recent setback came in midweek, and was particularly bitter, as they exited the US Open Cup at the last-16 stage to local rivals LA Galaxy.
Missing out on a place in the quarter-finals, Steve Cherundolo's team were once again second-best in 'El Trafico' as Galaxy fired in three second-half goals on the way to a 3-1 victory.
Though LAFC's Ryan Hollingshead struck in the 85th minute, it was all too late to initiate a comeback, and they have now endured six defeats and two draws away to their neighbours in eight attempts all told.
With a similarly dismal recent record against Saturday's opponents - losing four of their last five meetings with San Jose - Cherundolo's men will be looking to conquer both precedent and recent form if they are to get straight back to winning ways.
After overcoming a lightning delay ahead of their most recent league match - last week's 2-0 win at Columbus - LA will now have to handle the Earthquakes to keep hold of top spot.
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Before their trip to the City of Angels, the Quakes became the one of two MLS sides to be turfed out of the US Open Cup by lower-league opposition on Wednesday; slipping to a 2-0 defeat against USL Championship side Sacramento Republic.
Though they enjoyed the vast majority of the possession - also racking up 17 shots and 12 corners - San Jose could not break through their determined hosts, thus ending their dreams of silverware in the States' top cup competition.
Only days beforehand, the side placed 11th in the Western Conference had been held at home by Sporting Kansas City, who left PayPal Park with just their second away point of the season after a 1-1 draw last Sunday.
Jackson Yueill's strike early in the second half extended San Jose's unbeaten run under interim manager Alex Covelo to four matches, having followed up wins over Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers with successive draws.
The Earthquakes, however, still have the worst defensive record in the division, and have conceded goals at a rate of more than two per game to date - a major factor in former coach Matias Almeyda's recent sacking. That may now leave them particularly vulnerable against the league's most potent side.
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Team News
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The main concern for Los Angeles coach Steve Cherundolo ahead of Saturday's game relates to Mexican striker Carlos Vela, who limped off early on in the cup defeat to LA Galaxy due to a quad injury and could now miss out.
Highly rated left-back Diego Palacios suffered a knock to the head in midweek and observed the concussion protocol, but the Ecuador international should be fit to feature in the hosts' back four.
In Vela's potential absence, Cristian Arango is expected to lead the line in a front three for the South California side.
Meanwhile, San Jose's Jackson Yueill has scored in both of his last two Western Conference games and should start in support of lone striker Jeremy Ebobisse, who leads the visitors' attack.
The latter will come back into the first XI after appearing as a substitute in Wednesday's cup defeat, so young Benji Kikanovic is set to drop out of the lineup.
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Fall, Murillo, Ibeagha, Palacios; Ginella, Sanchez, Cifuentes; Opoku, Arango, Musovski
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Marcinkowski; Marie, Agren, Calvo, Beason; Remedi, Espinoza, Yueill, Monteiro, Cowell; Ebobisse
We say: Los Angeles FC 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes
A recent blip in form will worry Los Angeles, and yet another derby defeat will certainly sting, but the benefit of home advantage and their opponents' leaky defence should help them secure maximum points on Saturday.
Able to produce goals from a variety of sources, the hosts should score more than once and reaffirm their grip on first place in the standings.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
