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San Jose Earthquakes
Major League Soccer
Jul 31, 2022 at 3am UK
Buck Shaw Stadium
Real Salt Lake

Earthquakes
2 - 2
Salt Lake

Espinoza (12' pen.), Ebobisse (62')
Espinoza (45+2'), Yueill (85'), Covelo (86'), Gregus (90+5')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Loffelsend (21'), Savarino (90+5')
Glad (12'), MacMath (15'), Chang (37'), Savarino (90+6')

Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

San Jose Earthquakes will attempt to offer a positive response to consecutive MLS defeats when they welcome Real Salt Lake to PayPal Park.

While the hosts are 13th in the Western Conference, Real Salt Lake are aiming to cement their position in the playoffs.


Match preview

San Jose Earthquakes forward Cade Cowell (44) celebrates with midfielder Niko Tsakiris (30) after scoring a goal against the Austin FC during the second half at PayPal Park on April 3, 2022© Reuters

San Jose are currently on course to miss out on the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years after picking up just 22 points from their 21 MLS games this term.

Saturday's hosts will have to close an eight-point gap in their final 13 games if they are to reach the post-season.

While a place in the top seven may be unlikely, the Quakes will be determined to clinch a positive result on Saturday after losing their last two MLS games.

They looked set to take at least a point from last weekend's encounter against Portland Timbers after Benjamin Kikanovic gave San Jose a half-time lead, but goals from Jaroslaw Niezgoda and Dairon Asprilla saw the Quakes leave empty-handed.

With San Jose currently holding the worst defensive record in the Western Conference, interim boss Alex Covelo will be aware that his backline will need to offer an improvement on Saturday if they are to claim a positive result.

Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni during the second half against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on April 3, 2022© Reuters

In contrast to their hosts, Real Salt Lake are in a position to achieve a playoff finish, with Saturday's visitors currently sat in fourth position.

Despite occupying a place in the top seven, Pablo Mastroeni's side are just three points clear of Portland Timbers who reside in eighth spot.

With a place in the playoffs far from secure, Real Salt Lake need to improve on their recent form, which has yielded only one win in their last six games.

After beating Sporting Kansas City 3-0, the Claret and Cobalt had the chance to claim back-to-back victories last weekend, but a Jesus Ferreira strike helped Dallas condemn Real Salt Lake to a 1-0 defeat.

Mastroeni will be hoping that his side can bounce back on Saturday, although after winning just two of their 11 away games, the visitors may be content with a point against San Jose.

San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • L

Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • L


Team News

San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza (10) celebrates after scoring a goal during the first half against the Columbus Crew at PayPal Park on March 5, 2022© Reuters

Despite losing last weekend, San Jose Earthquakes are expected to keep changes to a minimum for Saturday's contest.

The only alteration could be Paul Marie coming into the starting lineup to replace Tommy Thompson, who may have to settle for a place on the bench.

With 11 goals to his name this season, Jeremy Ebobisse will provide the main goal threat for the hosts, with the 25-year-old set to be joined in a front three by Cristian Espinoza and Kikanovic.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Bobby Wood and Damir Kreilach due to groin and back problems respectively.

Pablo Ruiz will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, which could present Julio Santos with a starting opportunity.

Sergio Cordova will attempt to add to his four-goal tally for the MLS season when he leads the line for the visitors on Saturday.

San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Marcinkowski; Marie, Nathan, Beason, Lopez; Monteiro, Remedi, Yueill; Espinoza, Kikanovic, Ebobisse

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Herrera, Silva, Glad, Brody; Santos, Loffelsend; Chang, Savarino, Meram; Cordova


SM words green background

We say: San Jose Earthquakes 2-2 Real Salt Lake

Although San Jose Earthquakes are 11 points adrift of their opponents, we think that they will draw confidence from a run of home form which has seen them lose one of their last nine MLS home games, and we believe that the hosts will do enough to clinch a point on Saturday.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Earthquakes vs Salt Lake

San Jose Earthquakes
50.0%
Draw
25.0%
Real Salt Lake
25.0%
8
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New York City FC midfielder Gabriel Pereira (38) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Earthquakes with teammates during the second half at Yankee Stadium on May 1, 2022
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Tables header RHS

Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami31198469452465
2Columbus Crew30169560332757
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati31175953411256
4Orlando City31137115346746
5New York City FCNY City31128114844444
6New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls31101474844444
7Charlotte FCCharlotte FC31119113734342
8Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia319101258481037
9CF MontrealMontreal31910124461-1737
10Toronto32114173956-1737
11Atlanta UnitedAtlanta31810134145-434
12DC United31810134663-1734
13Nashville SCNashville3189143147-1633
14New England RevolutionNew England3094173360-2731
15Chicago Fire3279163755-1830

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy31177763461758
2Real Salt LakeSalt Lake311410762471552
3Los Angeles FCLos Angeles30157854411352
4Seattle SoundersSeattle31148946341250
5Colorado RapidsColorado31155115853550
6Houston DynamoHouston3113994334948
7Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver3013895041947
8Portland TimbersPortland311291064541045
9Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd31136125348545
10Dallas31107145052-237
11Austin FCAustin3199133444-1036
12St Louis City31713114658-1234
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3287175061-1131
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3153233772-3518


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