Real Salt Lake vs San Jose Earthquakes Prediction and Betting Odds | MLS June 18
Real Salt Lake vs San Jose Earthquakes Betting Preview
The international break is over and the MLS resumes in full force this weekend. WagerTalk soccer handicapper Nick Borrman offers his analysis of Saturday night’s Real Salt Lake vs San Jose Earthquakes showdown in Utah.
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| Saturday, June 18 | MLS Betting Notes |
|---|---|
| Real Salt Lake: | -125 |
| San Jose Earthquakes: | +330 |
| Draw: | +295 |
| Total: | 2.75 Goals (Odds Above Courtesy of DraftKings) |
| Game Time: | 9:30pm ET / 6:30pm PT |
Real Salt Lake vs San Jose Earthquakes Analysis
San Jose will be hoping the break turns their season around as they sit second from the bottom on just 15 points through 15 matches.
Meanwhile, Salt Lake is more than happy with their position, sitting third in the Western Conference table as they look primed to make another deep run in the MLS playoffs this season.
Salt Lake’s Worrisome Goal Difference
Salt Lake is always a tough team to beat at home where they hold the experience of playing at altitude. Along with Nashville, they are one of only two teams unbeaten on their home turf in the Conference.
However, now with a full two weeks since their last match, you have to wonder if they lost some momentum through the international break.
The biggest concern for RSL is that they are the only team currently holding a playoff position that owns a negative goal differential. Their xG numbers are also far from impressive for a playoff team as they have a -0.15 xG differential so far this season while allowing the fourth-most shots on goal at 5.2 per game.
San Jose’s Leaky Defense
It’s not their offense that is the problem for San Jose who is averaging 1.40 xG per game this season, it’s their defense which is allowing 1.91 xGA, the second-most in the entire league. Those numbers are no fluke and mostly based on volume as they are also allowing the second-most shots on goal per game at 6.1.
The good news is that they did play a match during the international break, a 0-0 draw at a very good Nashville side allowing just 1.35 xGA. They had already been showing signs of improvement defensively and that performance is just another indicator that they are heading in the right direction.
The ‘Quakes won just one match in their first nine games this season allowing an average of 2.56 goals per game on 2.32 xGA, but since, have lost just one match over their last six and are averaging a reduced 1.50 goals per game on just 1.31 xGA.
Real Salt Lake vs San Jose Earthquakes Prediction
San Jose is clearly trending in the right direction, but they are also one of a few teams that have given Salt Lake trouble both overall, and at altitude. San Jose has won four of the last five meetings overall including winning two in a row in Salt Lake. Going back a little further, the Quakes have lost just two of the last seven meetings in Utah. Take the head start on San Jose +0.75 (-120).
Soccer Betting 101
New to betting on soccer? Not familiar with all the wagering options, such as three-way betting and the Asian handicap? What stats should a novice soccer bettor focus on? What are some basic tips and strategies? Carmine Bianco and Nick Borrman joined Kelly Stewart to share some tips to novice soccer bettors.
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Meet the Author
Nick Borrman fell in love with professional ‘football’ (as anyone outside of the United States would refer to it) the first time he attended an MLS match. Now, he uses statistical analysis as well as current trends to successfully find value on soccer matches across the globe. Borrman focuses much of his attention on the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga and Serie A, as well as the most prestigious tournament of them all, the Champions League. Borrman derives many of his plays from his model forecasts and releases plays several days ahead of time to consistently beat line moves.
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