Two sides in contrasting form go head to head in the MLS as San Jose Earthquakes play host to Los Angeles FC at the PayPal Park Stadium on Saturday.
While the visiting side will be seeking to pick up a seventh consecutive league victory, the Earthquakes head into the weekend aiming to snap their run of seven games without a win.
Match preview
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San Jose Earthquakes hit another low in the MLS as they were on the receiving end of a 4-1 thrashing by Dallas when the sides squared off at the Toyota Stadium last Sunday.
The home side scored four goals without reply courtesy of strikes from Marco Farfan, Alan Velasco and a first-half brace from Jesus Ferreira before Jeremy Ebobisse pulled one back on the hour mark.
The Earthquakes have now failed to taste victory in any of their last seven outings across all competitions, picking up two draws and losing four since a 3-2 win at LA Galaxy on July 14.
With 24 points from 25 games, Alex Covelo's side are currently bottom but one in the Western Conference standings, just one point above last-placed Sporting Kansas City, albeit with one game in hand.
Their underwhelming campaign has been owing to their struggles on the road, where they have managed just one win in 13 games so far and hold the second-worst record in the MLS with seven points from a possible 39.
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In stark contrast, Los Angeles FC marched on at the top of the Western Conference standings as they claimed a 1-0 victory over DC United at the Banc of California Stadium on Wednesday.
In a game where Steve Birnbaum received his marching orders, 21-year-old forward Kwadwo Opoku made his mark just five minutes after coming off the bench as he grabbed a 67th-minute winner to send the Black-and-Red back home empty handed.
Steve Cherundolo's men have now won seven games on the bounce in the league — their longest run of consecutive victories and the second-longest winning streak in MLS history — scoring 19 goals and conceding five since a 1-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps on July 3.
The Black and Gold, who are now three wins away from breaking Seattle Sounders' record of nine straight victories set in 2019, currently boast a nine-point lead at the top of the Western Conference table.
Next up for Los Angeles FC, who are well on course to clinch their second-ever Supporters' Shield title, is a trip to the PayPal Park Stadium, where they have lost each of their last three visits since a 5-0 victory in 2019.
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Team News
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San Jose Earthquakes will be without the services of 22-year-old midfielder Siad Haji, who is set to sit out his sixth consecutive game through a groin injury.
George Asomani and American youngster Gilbert Fuentes are currently dealing with hip and knee injuries respectively and will play no part in this weekend's matchup.
Ebobisse has been a bright spark for the Earthquakes despite their poor form, and the 25-year-old forward, who has scored three goals in the last four games, should spearhead the attack once again.
As for Los Angeles FC, Cherundolo will be unable to call upon the services of North Macedonian forward Daniel Musovski, who was forced off with a 43rd-minute injury against LA Galaxy on July 9.
He is joined on the Black and Gold injury table by the duo of Julian Gaines and Erik Duenes, who have been ruled out after sustaining knee and ACL injuries respectively.
With his assist against DC United, Cristian Arango has now been involved in 16 goals this season, and the Colombia international should lead the attack,alongside Brian Rodriguez and veteran forward Carlos Vela, who is host one behind in the club's goal involvements chart so far.
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Marcinkowski; Thompson, Beason, Cardoso, Marie; Monteiro, Yueill, Judson; Espinoza, Ebobisse, Kikanovic
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Hollingshead, Murillo, Segura, Palacios; Sanchez, Acosta, Cifuentes; Rodriguez, Arango, Vela
We say: San Jose Earthquakes 0-2 Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles FC will be licking their lips as they go up against a San Jose side who have struggled for form in recent weeks. Cherundolo's side head into the game on a superb run and with sky-high confidence, and we are backing them to claim all three points on Friday.
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