San Jose Earthquakes vs New England Revolution Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

If it wasn’t for Colorado’s demise, San Jose Earthquakes would currently be propping up the Western Conference, though as things stand they’re in 11^th position instead of 12^th. Whether they’re bottom or second bottom, the form of Thursday’s hosts has been abysmal of late. Mikael Stahre’s men have lost each of their last five, while they’ve won just two games all season.

In contrast, New England, who’re currently fifth in the Eastern Conference, have done reasonably well this season. Having said that, the form of Brad Friedel’s men on the road has been anything but impressive. From a goal-scoring point of view, Thursday’s visitors are no mugs, though they are finding it very tough to keep clean sheets when plying their trade away from the comforts of home. The struggling hosts will be hoping to take advantage of such defensive frailties.

Fortunately for Stahre’s men, New England are a team who’ve found wins hard to come by on the road of late, so all is not lost as far as the hosts are concerned. However, with the hosts having found it immensely tough to keep teams out, even on their own patch, they’re unlikely to be too confident.

San Jose may be in a rather unflattering league position, though their attacking form has not been at all bad this season. Thursday’s hosts have failed to score in just two of their fourteen matches during the current MLS campaign, while they’ve only failed to find the net in one of their six home matches, scoring a more than respectable total of ten goals at Avaya Stadium this season.

In terms of recent performances, despite offering almost no resistance defensively, conceding a worrying total of seven goals in their last two home matches, San Jose have competed in the final third. They offered a significant threat when scoring three against LA Galaxy last time out, while they also attacked well when scoring against DC United prior to that.

However, as alluded to above, the hosts simply cannot keep teams out. Having conceded 14 in just six home games and having looked all over the place against Galaxy last time out, keeping a clean sheet is likely to once again prove beyond them, especially since New England are a side capable of scoring goals.

From a defensive point of view, New England have struggled on the road; the visitors come here having conceded in each of their six away matches this season, conceding a total of 12 goals. Such a record doesn’t bode well, though they might just fancy themselves to outscore a home team who’ve been as bad at the back.

The visitors, who’ve taken the fifth highest number of shots in the MLS this season, aren’t shy in going forward, while they’re capable of both creating chances and scoring goals. Having scored goals away against the likes of Philadelphia and Orlando recently, Friedel’s men should be up to doing plenty of damage in this match.

In all honesty, given the recent defensive record of both, it would be a surprise if there was a shortage of goals at Avaya Stadium on Thursday. Both teams have clear defensive frailties, which should only entice the pair to get forward. It’s no surprise that no team has seen ‘Over 3.5 Goals’ land more than the ridiculously open San Jose, and the hosts are once again backed to be involved in a goal-filled encounter.