Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Major League Soccer clash between San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
For the last time in the 2024 Major League Soccer season, San Jose Earthquakes are in action in front of their fans as they welcome Real Salt Lake to PayPal Park on Sunday.
The home side will take to the field off the back of a rare victory last time out, while their visitors had to make do with a point for the third game running.
Match preview
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San Jose Earthquakes showed great mettle to emerge victorious in an enthralling five-goal contest at the expense of FC Dallas when the teams squared off against each other on Thursday.
Hernan Lopez was the undisputed star of the show for Ian Russell‘s men, netting in both halves to take his goal tally for the season to six, which is now a personal best for the 24-year-old midfielder.
That was the first victory in six matches for the San Jose Earthquakes, who had come away empty-handed from all but one of their most recent five league involvements before Thursday’s encounter.
The Goonies are certain to finish bottom of the MLS table but will be keen to avoid breaking unwanted records such as most defeats, most goals conceded and fewest points recorded.
Claiming a 2-0 triumph in August’s reverse meeting, Sunday’s hosts have already come out on top against the visitors this term and now target a first league double of the campaign.
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Real Salt Lake were unable to make their dominance count against Minnesota United and eventually had to settle for a share of the spoils in Tuesday’s clash at the America First Field.
Pablo Mastroeni‘s men failed to find the back of the net for only a fourth home game this season, much to the surprise of their fans, who have seen them average over two goals per game.
A run of six points from the last 15 available has the Claret-and-Cobalt now firmly off the pace in the race for top spot in the Western Conference table as they now trail leaders Los Angeles Galaxy by eight points.
Taking to the field on enemy territory for the final time before the regular season concludes, Real Salt Lake now go in search of what would be a first away triumph since June 20 when they beat Sporting Kansas City 4-3.
San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer form:
Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:
Team News
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American trio Preston Judd, Benjamin Kikanovic and Jamar Ricketts are all unfit to feature for the San Jose Earthquakes here as they continue to nurse respective injuries.
JT Marcinkowski is also a guaranteed absentee for the home side, and the goalkeeper is joined out of action by Michael Baldisimo and Ousseni Bouda.
Jose Bonilla and Pablo Ruiz are ruled out for Real Salt Lake through knee injuries, with the former yet to make an appearance since the start of the season.
Marcelo Silva and Erik Holt continue to nurse muscle problems and are not expected to play any part in this one alongside the suspended Brayan Vera.
Vera’s suspension this weekend means that 25-year-old Javain Brown could be recalled to the visitors’ starting lineup for the first time in five matches.
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Akapo, Valdez, Beason, Verhoeven; Gruezo, Yueill; Espinoza, Lopez, Marie; Skahan
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Brown, Quinton, Glad, Brody; Eneli, Ojeda; Marczuk, Crooks, Goncalves; Arango
We say: San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 Real Salt Lake
Beating Dallas would have offered the San Jose Earthquakes some cause for optimism coming into this weekend’s encounter which promises to be a stern test nonetheless.
We fancy Real Salt Lake to carry the day, albeit by only a narrow margin.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.