Real Salt Lake vs San Jose Earthquakes

Real Salt Lake and San Jose Earthquakes are set to trade tackles at Rio Tinto Stadium in a handsomely-looking Major League Soccer showdown.

Real Salt Lake got knocked down from a high-flying three-game winning MLS streak as they conceded on either side of half-time in a 2-1 away defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps last time out. But with only four points separating them from Western Conference leaders Los Angeles, they are still in contention for a top-place finish. Playing at home would most likely aid Salt Lake’s bid to whittle down the gap, as they’ve yet to lose a single MLS home fixture this term (W5, D1). Moreover, Pablo Mastroeni’s men have won their last three home league outings by an aggregate score of 6-1, netting beyond half-time on each occasion.

On the other hand, San Jose Earthquakes have gone winless in their last three MLS matches (D2, L1) since a 3-2 downing of Portland Timbers in mid-May. Based on San Jose’s away record this season, they are unlikely to get back to winning ways here. The ‘Quakes’ have failed to win in all seven MLS fixtures on hostile turf (D2, L5), conceding an alarming 16 goals, at an average of 2.28 per game. Particularly vulnerable beyond half-time, they have registered a clear majority (62.5%) of their away goals conceded in the second half of play. Interim boss Alex Covelo will hope to address his side’s scoring woes that have seen them average just 1.14 goals per MLS road trip this season.