Win
Wednesday’s game versus San Jose and Chivas will move even on points with their
conference foes. Given they have played a game more than San Jose they will
need to take these three points.
The
Goats are not playing at their best right now, failing to come through with the
full three points in four consecutive games, most recently as significant favorites
in the betting odds at +131 vs. Chicago.
They
had lost three straight ahead of last weekend’s home date with the Fire, but
could not take command as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Dominic
Oduro had put the Fire up in the middle of the first half before Nick LaBrocca
found the back of the net right after the break.
On
Wednesday Chivas aim for a win at home to San Jose, a team that has tied two
games in a row, albeit against strong opposition.
Over the
weekend the Earthquakes stood toe-to-toe with New York, sending the Red Bulls
back home with a point after a 2-2 stalemate.
The
return of leading scorer Chris Wondolowski got most of the attention, but it
ended up being Khari Stephenson and Steven Lenhart that scored for the hosts in
the draw.
Will
the Earthquakes be able to finally get a win on hump day as the soccer betting
underdogs?
Goats
look to cash as chalk
As
the home team in this affair, Chivas is the favorite on the soccer odds board.
Bodog has the team listed at +120 while the Earthquakes are +210 to taste
victory.
I
mentioned Wondolowski earlier and for good reason: he has been a crucial part
of this San Jose squad all season long, and the Earthquakes will be thrilled to
have him back from international duty.
That
said, Steven Lenhart’s performances in his stead have been tremendous, allowing
San Jose to stay competitive. The forward has five goals (as well as two
assists) in 11 appearances so far on the year, with all five coming in his
previous seven games.
Lenhart
certainly stepped up to fill that void in attack, and now with Wondolowski back
in the fold, the Earthquakes’ front line should be a handful for opposing
defenses.
Chivas
have relied on steady production out of a certain few players this season.
Midfielders Nick LaBrocca -- who leads the team with four goals -- and Jorge
Flores have been mainstays in the lineup, while striker Justin Braun has also
had his fair share of good showings.
Ben
Zemanski has been making things happen as well, accounting for a team-leading
three assists heading into the matchup with San Jose.
So
who wins Wednesday’s game at Home Depot Center in Carson, California? As a
matter of fact, I believe San Jose will get at least a point against a Chivas
side that has been far from convincing on its own turf.
The
Earthquakes meanwhile have contained two formidable opponents in Los Angeles (against my prediction) and New York over the past couple of weeks and I see this being the game they
break out with a win.
FREE
Pick: Chivas
USA 1 San Jose 2