Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Los Angeles FC - prediction, team news, lineups

The Quakes have only started the season well and sit inside the top five of the Western Conference, whilst LAFC are still unbeaten after eight matches.

Match preview

San Jose ended a run of back-to-back defeats on Sunday with a 2-2 draw at Q2 Stadium against Austin FC - a game in which the visitors took the lead on two occasions either side of the half-time break.

Jackson Yueill and Jeremy Ebobisse goals were not enough for maximum points in Texas on the day, however that point earned meant the Quakes remain in a decent standing.

Luchi Gonzalez's men are fifth in the Western Conference standings heading into this weekend's round of fixtures, only five points behind first-placed Seattle Sounders.

Quakes supporters will be happy their side are at home in this one, with 13 of their 15 MLS points so far this term coming at Levi's Stadium - needless to say their away form must improve if they are to challenge for top spot this campaign.

LAFC are shining in MLS and on the continental stage so far this season, although it was a familiar foe which was defeated in order to reach the final of the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday.

Goals from Timothy Tillman, Kwadwo Opoku and Denis Bouanga secured a 3-0 success over Philadelphia Union in the second leg of their last-four tie, setting up a final with Mexico's Leon at the end of the month.

Steve Cherundolo's men must now turn their focus to four upcoming MLS matches as they look to continue their impressive unbeaten run - one which has seen them concede just six times in eight games.

Bouanga only trails The Sounders' Jordan Morris in the MLS scoring charts so far this campaign, with the Gabon international netting seven goals in the first eight fixtures.

San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer form:

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Los Angeles FC Major League Soccer form:

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Los Angeles FC form (all competitions):

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Team News

San Jose Earthquakes are expecting to be without Nathan until early October after the Brazilian suffered a cruciate ligament injury in February.

A shorter-term absentee for the Quakes comes in the form of 17-year-old Niko Tsakiris - the American is sidelined with a groin injury until the middle of the month.

LAFC have a number of first-team players in the medical room currently, with Tony Leone and Eldin Jakupovic both suffering from leg injuries in the opening stages of this season.

Maxime Crepeau completes a trio of players enduring leg issues at the moment - the Canadian goalkeeper was such a key part of a successful 2022 MLS campaign.

San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:

Marcinkowski; Akapo, Mensah, Rodrigues, Marie; Yueill, Gruezo, Monteiro; Espinoza, Ebobisse, Cowell

Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:

McCarthy; Hollingshead, Murillo, Long, Palacios; Tillman, Sanchez, Acosta; Bogusz, Vela, Bouanga

We say: San Jose Earthquakes 0-1 Los Angeles FC

San Jose Earthquakes have struggled in recent matches and now face an LAFC side who are coming off the back of reaching the CONCACAF Champions League final.

The visitors will be fully confident of extending their unbeaten league run to nine matches, and we see them doing just that at Levi' Stadium on Saturday.

How to watch

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