San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy – MLS, October 3, 2020

MLS dishes up the California Clásico this weekend, with San Jose hosting LA Galaxy on Saturday, October 3. Following a 3-2 win and a goalless draw, the Los Angeles club is unbeaten against their rival this year. But can the Quakes upset the odds this time around?

San Jose ended a torrid eight-game winless run by securing a much-needed victory over LAFC last time out. Meanwhile, after four straight victories, the Galaxy is now winless in four.

I discuss the bookies’ odds before sharing my San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy prediction and betting pick.

Despite their recent slump, LA Galaxy is still the favorite with the top online soccer betting sites to win this game. However, the marginal odds gap underlines the visitor’s downfall.

Not so long ago, the Los Angeles club was pushing for a top-half finish, and the price for the away win would have been a lot lower back then. But the bookies clearly think there is very little to separate these teams at the moment.

It feels like San Jose is having a terrible season. But in reality, the Galaxy is only one place and one point ahead of their rival in the Western Conference standings. It’s been a difficult year for both sides, with both teams peaking at different times.

It’s safe to say that San Jose peaked earlier in the campaign. Matias Almeyda’s side picked up seven points from a possible nine during the MLS is Back Tournament group stage, drawing with Seattle Sounders before seeing off Vancouver Whitecaps and Chicago Fire.

But after bowing out to Minnesota United in the quarter-finals, the Goonies went on to draw three and lose five of their next eight games. This dismal run saw them suffer humiliating defeats to LAFC (5-1), Seattle (7-1), Portland Timbers (6-1), and Colorado Rapids (5-0).

San Jose finally ended their eight-games winless run with a revenge victory over LAFC on Sunday. But we all know that beating the Black & Gold is nowhere near as hard as it once was.

On the flip side, the Galaxy’s hot streak came after the MLS is Back Tournament. The team could only manage one draw and two defeats in Florida. But when the regular season resumed, four straight wins and a draw propelled the Los Angeles club up the table.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s men saw off LAFC twice during that period, as well as beating San Jose and Portland. However, subsequent defeats to Colorado, Real Salt Lake, and Seattle mean the Galaxy heads into this game on the back of three successive defeats.

With star signing Javier Hernandez in and out of the team due to injury, Sebastian Lletget has stepped up to the mark. The midfielder has bagged five goals and two assists in his last eight appearances, and he will need to be on top form again this weekend.

LA Galaxy’s squad is packed with top-class players. But at the end of the day, the team is just on a poor run at the moment. In my opinion, a trip to Earthquakes Stadium provides Schelotto’s men with the perfect opportunity to get back on track.

There is no denying that San Jose has been the weakest team in the Western Conference this year, so I’m backing the Los Angeles club to return to winning ways on Saturday.