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San Jose vs. L.A. Preview | MLS Free Pick (July. 22)

Our MLS soccer betting experts weigh in with a short preview and free pick for the matchup between San Jose Earthquakes vs Los Angeles Galaxy. Onto the week’s MLS matchup of the week…

MLS Soccer Predictions – THURSDAY JULY 21, 2010 – San Jose Earthquakes vs Los Angeles Galaxy

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The MLS began its 15th season this year and we’ve finally decided it’s time to give this league some handicapping love and provide some free SOCCER gambling analysis every week.

Onto the week’s MLS preview and prediction for the week.

ESPN2, ESPD – 7:30 pm EST – MLS Betting Odds – San Jose Earthquakes (6-4-4) at Los Angeles Galaxy (12-2-3):

Los Angeles -250
San Jose +700
Draw: +300

So far this season the Galaxy have been playing out of the world. That trend should continue when the side tries to extend their 13-game home-unbeaten steak against the San Jose Earthquakes on Thursday at the Home Depot Center.

After starting the season unbeaten in 12 matches, Los Angels has just two wins in their last five games including a 2-1 win over DC United on Saturday.

Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, who missed five matches while he was on World Cup duty in South Africa, scored the game-wining goal, his first since returning, on a penalty shot in the second half.

Despite the small dip, the Galaxy still hold a commanding lead with their MLS-best 39 points, nine ahead of 2009 reigning MLS Cup champions, Real Salt Lake, in the Western Conference.

They haven’t lost a single game when Landon Donovan has made the starting XI – 9-0-2 with Donovan, and 8-0-0 when he records a goal or an assist — and it looks like they have resumed right where they left off. That spells trouble for the fifth place Earthquakes, a team Donovan played for between 2001-2004.

San Jose has just three road wins away from the “Buck” this season, and although that is an improvement over last year’s single road win, they have yet to beat their California Clasico rivals in the last two seasons, falling 2-0 in each meeting. It is the first meeting of 2010 for these rival clubs with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 24-14-6.

The Earthquakes rallied to a 2-1 win in their last MLS scheduled outing against the expansion Philadelphia Union, when Cornell Glen tied the score just before the half and Arturo Alvarez struck the game-winner in second half stoppage-time.

San Jose followed that win with a friendly against the Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League last Saturday that ended in a scoreless draw.

The final result although not a win, could be looked at as a sign of encouragement, as keeping the EPL’s fourth best team in 2009 off the score sheet is a huge confidence builder, and solidifies San Jose’s defensive posture for a club that has surrendered less than a goal per game on average in 2010.

Now San Jose defenders Steve Beitashour and Chris Leitch along with keeper Jon Busch will need to build on that energy and find a way to keep Donovan and partner in crime Edson Buddle –11th in goals scored, off the board.

The Galaxy certainly has the momentum and the weapons to win this one by a pair of goals.

San Jose vs L.A. Free Pick:

However, they will have played two games in just five days, and fatigue could factor into the outcome of this, but not enough to give San Jose the advantage. LA wins 1-0.

We will continue to provide free weekly MLS gambling predictions due to the responses we’ve gotten on ourSoccer handicapping forums, and survey responses we’ve conducted on our soccer betting blog.

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Matt Martz is a sports writer for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.