San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds
Get our San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC prediction, betting picks, projected lineups, and odds ahead of Saturday's MLS game. Find key stats and parlays here.
Grayson Parker - September 19, 2026, 3:42 PM EDT
7 minutesSan Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Game Preview
Competition | Major League Soccer |
|---|---|
Game Date | September 19, 2026 |
Game Time | 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Santa Clara, Levi's Stadium |
Our San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC prediction lands on a Bay Area showdown at Levi's Stadium, the primary Mexican Independence Day celebration game, with a Western Conference playoff seeding fight on the line.
The Earthquakes enter Matchday 27 sitting fourth in the Western Conference standings on 41 points with a 12-8-5 record, holding the final home-field advantage playoff spot.
LAFC arrive sixth in the West on 40 points at 11-8-7, just one point back of San Jose in the seeding race, but they are the favorite on the moneyline for this matchup.
These teams do not do scoreless. Both teams have scored in 10 of the last 10 meetings between San Jose Earthquakes vs Los Angeles FC (Major League Soccer), so goals should flow again.
San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Recent Results
San Jose ride a four-game unbeaten streak in MLS regular-season play, fresh off back-to-back league wins after Daniel Munie's first-half goal downed a strong Houston Dynamo FC. Bruce Arena's group thrives on finishing chances and counterattacks, and Niko Tsakiris has been the creative hub in the wide attack.
LAFC come in cold, having won just one of their last eight MLS games and beaten 3-1 last time out by Sporting Kansas City. They are also winless in their last five MLS road games. Even so, Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-Min give this attack real teeth on the counter.
San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
San Jose Earthquakes: T. Werner (Injured/out), D. Jones (Injured/out), E. E. Jr. (Injured/out), D. Johnson (Injured/out), N. Adimabua (Injured/out), P. Judd (Injured/doubtful)
LAFC: T. Hasal (Injured/out), T. Tillman (Injured/out)
San Jose Earthquakes
Max Floriani has served his suspension and returns to the San Jose Earthquakes squad. Bruce Arena could roll with an unchanged starting lineup after the win over Houston Dynamo FC, with Timo Werner among a lengthy list of injured absentees.
LAFC
Marc Dos Santos could bring Ryan Hollingshead in to shore up the LAFC defense, with at least one other change expected as Jacob Shaffelburg pushes for a recall. Thomas Hasal and Timothy Tillman are both out for the visitors.
San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Predicted Lineup
San Jose Earthquakes
Formation: 3-4-2-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: A. Gunn; J. Jasinski, D. Romney, D. Munie; J. Ricketts, R. Vieira, E. Löwen, B. Kikanovic; B. Leroux, N. Tsakiris; O. Bouda
LAFC
Formation: 4-1-4-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: H. Lloris; Y. Cheberko, N. Tafari, A. Long, R. Hollingshead; M. Choinière; D. Bouanga, I. Jesus, J. Shaffelburg, A. Sieb; S. Heung-Min
San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Key Stats & Game Facts
- There have been 27+ shots taken in 6 of the last 6 games between Los Angeles FC vs San Jose Earthquakes (Major League Soccer).
- Los Angeles FC have had 8+ corners in 5 of their last 5 games (Major League Soccer).
- Son Heung-Min has attempted 3+ shots in 5 of his last 5 appearances (Major League Soccer).
- Sergi Palencia has been carded in 3 of his last 4 appearances (Major League Soccer).
- Beau Leroux has scored or assisted in 3 of his last 3 appearances (Major League Soccer).
San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Prediction & Best Picks
Our Prediction
This one should be open and high-scoring, and LAFC are the favorite here. Even in a slump on the road, Bouanga and Son carry a counterattack that gives the visitors the edge. Our prediction is a narrow 2-1 LAFC win, with both teams finding the net.
Best Picks
Denis Bouanga to register Over 2.5 Shots On Target for LAFC in the Player Shots On Target market. LAFC are favored and the attack is built around shot volume, with Bouanga the focal point every time they go forward. He carries a strong edge to clear three shots on target, and his heavy usage on the counter backs that up.
Jamar Ricketts to record Over 1.5 Shots for San Jose Earthquakes in the Player Shots market. San Jose should generate plenty at home in Bruce Arena's wide attacking system, and Ricketts starting on the left flank puts him in prime shooting spots. The projection has him comfortably placed to fire off two or more attempts.
San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Same Game Parlay
Our four-leg Same Game Parlay leans into a goals-heavy matchup: Sergi Palencia to be carded, Denis Bouanga over 0.5 shots on target, Bouanga over 1.5 shots, and both teams to score.
Palencia opens the parlay, having been carded in 3 of his last 4 appearances, a good sign in what should be a physical, direct game.
Bouanga over 0.5 shots on target is a sturdy anchor. He has recorded at least one shot on target across each of his last 5 outings and is central to the LAFC attack.
Bouanga over 1.5 shots stacks nicely alongside it. He has cleared that line across all 5 of his most recent appearances and takes heavy volume every week.
Both teams to score rounds it out. Both teams have found the net in 10 of the last 10 meetings between these clubs, so the trend is loud.
At the time of writing, this Same Game Parlay returns a best price of +526 and is as short as +470 at other books. Choosing the best-priced option over the shortest yields an extra $6 on a $10 stake.
Shop the best parlay price using Oddschecker's Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.
Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.
San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Talking Points
The headline storyline is Denis Bouanga's milestone chase. The LAFC forward arrives with 77 career MLS regular-season goals, one shy of tying Carlos Vela's club record of 78, and a slumping side would love a lift from their talisman. On the other side, Niko Tsakiris leads San Jose with 10 assists this season and has been the creative engine behind the Earthquakes' unbeaten run. Add a big-occasion setting, with operators opening the upper decks of the 68,000-seat Levi's Stadium to meet ticket demand, and this Mexican Independence Day showcase has all the makings of a Western Conference thriller.
San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Predictions FAQs
When is the San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC game?
The game takes place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, kicking off at 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT.
Where is San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC being played?
The game will be played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
What is the latest team news for San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC?
San Jose Earthquakes welcome back Max Floriani from suspension, while Bruce Arena could field an unchanged starting lineup. LAFC will be without Thomas Hasal and Timothy Tillman due to injuries, with Ryan Hollingshead pushing to start.
What are the probable lineups for San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC?
San Jose Earthquakes are projected to start A. Gunn, J. Jasinski, D. Romney, D. Munie, J. Ricketts, R. Vieira, E. Löwen, B. Kikanovic, B. Leroux, N. Tsakiris, and O. Bouda. LAFC are expected to line up with H. Lloris, Y. Cheberko, N. Tafari, A. Long, R. Hollingshead, M. Choinière, D. Bouanga, I. Jesus, J. Shaffelburg, A. Sieb, and S. Heung-Min.
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