Los Angeles FC face San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday, in a clash of two sides at the opposite ends in the MLS Western Conference table.
The hosts boast an unbeaten home record in the 2024 MLS campaign and aim to extend that run to ten matches when they take to the pitch this weekend.
Match preview
Los Angeles are currently the hottest team in MLS, having collected 19 points from their last seven league games, winning six and drawing one.
The Black and Gold, however, were on the verge of losing their nine-match unbeaten run across all competitions against Austin FC last time out.
After conceding in the first half, Steve Cherundolo's side struggled to get back into the game until Kei Kamara's 90th-minute equaliser secured a 1-1 draw.
Los Angeles sit second in the Western Conference with 34 points, although the draw leaves them three points behind Real Salt Lake, with a game in hand. With the league leaders facing a tough test against third-placed LA Galaxy, who are also on 34 points, the Earthquakes will be hoping to snatch top spot with a victory on Sunday.
However, recent meetings with their opponents suggest this might not be a straightforward game for the hosts. They have only won once in their last five meetings against San Jose, losing three times, although these defeats came away from home.
Boasting an unblemished home record so far this season with seven wins and two draws, Los Angeles will be looking to win a seventh consecutive game on home soil across all competitions.
Meanwhile, it has been a challenging season for the Earthquakes, who currently languish at the bottom of the Western Conference with 11 points after 18 matches.
Defending has been their Achilles' heel, as they have conceded the most goals in the conference (45), five more than Sporting Kansas City. Luchi Gonzalez must find a way to shore up his defence if they are to end their current seven-game winless run across all competitions, with six of those defeats coming in MLS.
The Earthquakes lost 2-1 against Portland Timbers in their last league outing, making it three successive defeats while conceding 11 goals and scoring just four.
With their last victory coming away at Colorado Rapids in May, the visitors will be hoping to pull off another away-day miracle when they take to the pitch on Sunday.
Team News
Los Angeles FC lost just one player to international duty as young attacker Cristian Olivera is with Uruguay at the upcoming Copa America.
However, they also have one player absent due to injury, as Lorenzo Dellavalle has hurt his knee and is unavailable for the game.
Two players have questionable fitness heading into this match - David Martinez with a back issue and Maxime Chanot who is looking to quickly recover from a leg injury.
The Quakes will be without midfielder Carlos Gruezo, who is away with Ecuador on international duty at the Copa America.
There are also injury concerns with Daniel Britto (lower body), JT Marcinkowski (knee), Jamar Ricketts (lower body) and Bruno Wilson (lower body), while Carlos Akapo is questionable.
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Palencia, Segura, Long, Campos; Duenas, Atuesta, Tillman; Ordaz, Bogusz, Bouanga
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Jackson; Akapo, Munie, Beason, Costa; Tsakiris, Yueill, Pellegrino, Espinoza; Lopez, Ebobisse
We say: Los Angeles FC 2-0 San Jose Earthquakes
Los Angeles are the most in-form side in MLS right now and have been almost invincible on home soil. With San Jose's struggles this year, we see nothing but victory for the hosts in this affair.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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