Towards the end of the MLS season, the game between San Jose Earthquakes (5-3-21) and St. Louis CITY SC (5-13-11) at PayPal Park takes on significant meaning for both teams. Scheduled on a Sunday, this match is contested between teams fighting to move away from the lower half of the league table. Fans should be able to view the live action on ATV as this will surely be an exciting night. Enthusiasts and gamblers should also look out for premium tips as this match will be full of thrills and smart strategies today.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. St. Louis CITY SC 9/21/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 10:30 PM ET |
| Where: | PayPal Park |
| TV: | ATV |
| Stream: | – |
San Jose Earthquakes (5-3-21) vs. St. Louis CITY SC (5-13-11)
San Jose Earthquakes have struggled this season, a sentiment echoed in their recent form and standings. Despite a lackluster season, forward Amahl Pellegrino has emerged as a beacon of hope, leading the team with 7 goals from 20 starts. Alongside Pellegrino, midfielder Cristian Espinoza has been a vital playmaker, providing 12 assists and adding 4 goals himself. Their offensive efforts, however, will be rigorously tested against St. Louis CITY SC’s defense, which has shown signs of resilience in their recent outings. Recalling a historical reference, San Jose’s offensive lineup faltered against the ‘Vancouver Whitecaps‘, failing to score in a 2-0 defeat earlier this season, which raises questions about their ability to penetrate sturdier defenses.
On the flip side, heading into this match-up, it can be said that St. Louis CITY SC has displayed fairly better form. For example, forward João Klauss, Eduard Löwen have been great for the St. Louis, which has a positive balance of 5 goals by Klauss and 5 assists by Löwen. Their specified offensive approach should be at the highest level in order to take advantage of the weaknesses of the San Jose defense, which has been exposed the whole season. St. Louis’s forwards plus some cautious control of the midfield could easily penetrate San Jose’s backline which has been leaking goals heavily in their recent matches.
William Yarbrough GK vs. Roman Bürki GK
This was a tough season for San Jose’s William Yarbrough, the goalkeeper on record, with 56 saves made but a high 42 goals against. It will be an uphill task for him as he prepares for a St. Louis front line that has been more potent in recent matches. Yarbrough has been able to make key saves and command his area with authority, which may spell the difference in whether San Jose stays in the game.
On the other hand, Roman Bürki of the St. Louis CITY SC is raising the bar in goalkeeping even higher with 87 saves and 6 clean sheets this year. His experience and composure during crucial moments will be necessary against all the attacking threats that San Jose will throw in desperation to get a goal. This level of performance by Bürki is part of the defensive approach of the team St. Louis SC where he plays, which will be challenged in the upcoming games by top scorers Espinoza and Pellegrino of San Jose.
MLS Odds/Point Spread: San Jose Earthquakes -0.5 (+123), Total Odds: 3.5
The betting odds favor a tight contest, with San Jose Earthquakes having a slight edge due to their home advantage as indicated by the spread of -0.5. The total of 3.5 goals leaning towards the over at +110 suggests expectations of a high-scoring affair, possibly driven by both teams’ defensive frailties and urgency to clinch a win.
San Jose Earthquakes Betting Trends
San Jose’s betting trends do not inspire much confidence, with only 1 win in their last 5 games and a similarly poor record against the spread. Their inability to turn games in their favor, especially at home, indicates a potential struggle in this upcoming fixture.
St. Louis CITY SC Betting Trends
In contrast, St. Louis CITY SC has demonstrated a stronger performance both in outright wins and against the spread, securing 3 wins and covering the spread in 4 of their last 5 matches. Their betting trends suggest a rising momentum, which could very well carry them to a victory in this matchup.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. St. Louis CITY SC 9/21/24 Betting Picks
After a deep analysis of the recent form of the teams and the betting markets, St. Louis CITY SC would be the better pick. Their form and performance against the spread have been improving so they could beat a struggling San Jose Earthquakes team, especially with the way San Jose’s defense has been performing.
One of the top MLS picks today is betting on St. Louis CITY SC winning with the money line paying out at +155. Over on total goals at 3.5 is also a nice bet to take, given that both teams have featured in higher-scoring games recently. Additional value bets could be in prop bets of João Klauss to score anytime.