San Jose Earthquakes to Face Inter Miami in Crucial MLS Playoffs Clash
The San Jose Earthquakes are set to host Inter Miami at PayPal Park on Thursday in a crucial Major League Soccer meeting. According to analysis from Sports Mole, the hosts are looking to secure their third consecutive win in the league and fourth across all competitions.
A Look at the Teams’ Current Form
San Jose Earthquakes have been on a roll lately, bouncing back from three successive losses in April to claim back-to-back wins in the league and three straight victories in all competitions. In their latest outing, the Goonies secured a 2-0 win on the road against Colorado Rapids, courtesy of goals from Dejuane Jones and Cristian Arango. This result saw them climb from 10th to seventh in the Western Conference standings with 16 points, although they still trail second-placed Minnesota United by six points. As Sports Mole notes, San Jose Earthquakes have struggled defensively this season, conceding 20 times – a record that is the joint-third worst in the West.
However, under the guidance of coach Bruce Arena, the team has shown impressive attacking prowess, scoring 26 goals – the most by any side in the top division. In their last six league outings, San Jose Earthquakes have found the back of the net 16 times, making them a formidable force in the attacking third. As the source highlights, “the Quakes have found the back of the net 16 times in their last six league outings, making them deadly in the attacking third.”
Meanwhile, Inter Miami have struggled for consistency, winning only two of their last six league fixtures. The Herons were handed a 4-1 thrashing by Minnesota United in their last outing, and they will be looking to bounce back against San Jose Earthquakes. Despite their inconsistent form, Javier Mascherano’s men sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standings with 21 points after 11 games, just four behind leaders FC Cincinnati and second-placed Columbus Crew. A win for Inter Miami could see them leapfrog Philadelphia Union into third in the table, provided results elsewhere go in their favour.
Team News and Lineups
Sports Mole reports that Josef Martinez is set to miss his fourth consecutive match for San Jose Earthquakes due to a leg injury sustained against Columbus Crew on April 27. Bruno Wilson is also out with an injury, while Inter Miami’s Drake Callender and David Ruiz are sidelined. Lionel Messi is expected to lead the line for Inter Miami, supported by Benjamin Cremaschi and Telasco Segovia. Federico Redondo and Yannick Bright are likely to join Sergio Busquets in midfield.
In terms of possible lineups, Sports Mole suggests that San Jose Earthquakes could start with Daniel; Munie, Romney, Rodrigues; Jones, Leroux, Harkes, Costa; Espinoza, Bouda; Arango, while Inter Miami may field Ustari; Allen, Lujan, Weigandt, Alba; Bright, Busquets, Redondo; Segovia, Messi, Cremaschi.
Match Prediction
Sports Mole predicts a 2-2 draw between the two teams, citing the attacking prowess of both sides and Inter Miami’s impressive record on the road. The source notes that “Earthquakes are currently enjoying a good run of form, and all things being equal, they should emerge victorious, but Inter Miami’s record on the road makes this fixture a little tricky for the hosts, with a 2-2 draw the most likely outcome, given the attacking prowess of both sides.”
In conclusion, Thursday’s MLS Playoffs clash between San Jose Earthquakes and Inter Miami promises to be an exciting and closely contested match. With both teams showing impressive attacking form, a draw seems like a likely outcome. However, San Jose Earthquakes’ recent form and home advantage make them slight favourites to take all three points. As Sports Mole concludes, “for data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.”
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