Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake - prediction, team news, lineups

San Jose Earthquakes will attempt to offer a positive response to consecutive MLS defeats when they welcome Real Salt Lake to PayPal Park.

While the hosts are 13th in the Western Conference, Real Salt Lake are aiming to cement their position in the playoffs.

Match preview

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San Jose are currently on course to miss out on the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years after picking up just 22 points from their 21 MLS games this term.

Saturday's hosts will have to close an eight-point gap in their final 13 games if they are to reach the post-season.

While a place in the top seven may be unlikely, the Quakes will be determined to clinch a positive result on Saturday after losing their last two MLS games.

They looked set to take at least a point from last weekend's encounter against Portland Timbers after Benjamin Kikanovic gave San Jose a half-time lead, but goals from Jaroslaw Niezgoda and Dairon Asprilla saw the Quakes leave empty-handed.

With San Jose currently holding the worst defensive record in the Western Conference, interim boss Alex Covelo will be aware that his backline will need to offer an improvement on Saturday if they are to claim a positive result.

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In contrast to their hosts, Real Salt Lake are in a position to achieve a playoff finish, with Saturday's visitors currently sat in fourth position.

Despite occupying a place in the top seven, Pablo Mastroeni's side are just three points clear of Portland Timbers who reside in eighth spot.

With a place in the playoffs far from secure, Real Salt Lake need to improve on their recent form, which has yielded only one win in their last six games.

After beating Sporting Kansas City 3-0, the Claret and Cobalt had the chance to claim back-to-back victories last weekend, but a Jesus Ferreira strike helped Dallas condemn Real Salt Lake to a 1-0 defeat.

Mastroeni will be hoping that his side can bounce back on Saturday, although after winning just two of their 11 away games, the visitors may be content with a point against San Jose.

Team News

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Despite losing last weekend, San Jose Earthquakes are expected to keep changes to a minimum for Saturday's contest.

The only alteration could be Paul Marie coming into the starting lineup to replace Tommy Thompson, who may have to settle for a place on the bench.

With 11 goals to his name this season, Jeremy Ebobisse will provide the main goal threat for the hosts, with the 25-year-old set to be joined in a front three by Cristian Espinoza and Kikanovic.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Bobby Wood and Damir Kreilach due to groin and back problems respectively.

Pablo Ruiz will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, which could present Julio Santos with a starting opportunity.

Sergio Cordova will attempt to add to his four-goal tally for the MLS season when he leads the line for the visitors on Saturday.

San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:

Marcinkowski; Marie, Nathan, Beason, Lopez; Monteiro, Remedi, Yueill; Espinoza, Kikanovic, Ebobisse

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:

MacMath; Herrera, Silva, Glad, Brody; Santos, Loffelsend; Chang, Savarino, Meram; Cordova

We say: San Jose Earthquakes 2-2 Real Salt Lake

Although San Jose Earthquakes are 11 points adrift of their opponents, we think that they will draw confidence from a run of home form which has seen them lose one of their last nine MLS home games, and we believe that the hosts will do enough to clinch a point on Saturday.

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