Nashville SC vs San Jose Earthquakes: An Uphill Battle Right From the Start

• Nashville SC take on San Jose Earthquakes for the first time at the GEODIS Park
• San Jose Earthquakes are struggling and sit 3rd from the bottom
• These two teams have met once earlier in the season and played out a draw

Nashville SC vs San Jose Earthquakes Odds

Nashville SC vs San Jose Earthquakes Prediction

Nashville SC have faced San Jose Earthquakes just once before and that game ended in a draw. The two sides met earlier this season in April and were able to cancel each other’s goals quickly to share the points. Nashville SC took the lead in the 38th minute via Hany Mukhtar and went into halftime ahead. They were unable to dominate possession but had managed more shots on target in the first f45.

San Jose Earthquakes came out strong in the second half and managed to get the equalizer within 7 minutes of the restart. Jeremy Ebobisse scored for the home side, but they were not level for a long time. Mukhtar got on the scoresheet again to restore the away side’s lead just after the hour-mark. The German’s goal came against the run of play and San Jose were stunned.

Ebobisse came to their rescue again and got his second of the game in the 72nd minute. The home side managed to keep the ball and have a few more shots at goal but could not get the win they deserved.

Nashville SC have a strong home record and we expect them to just about edge out San Jose Earthquakes in this fixture.

Nashville SC Are One of the Three Sides Unbeaten at Home

Nashville have not been at their best this season but are managing to get the results they need. They are 10th in the Supporters’ Shield standings right now and will be looking to push further ahead.  However, they do have a good record at home and will be playing just their 5th match at the Geodis Park in the league. They have won two and drawn two of their games at home so far this season.

Unlike other teams, Nashville did not have a long pre-season and played just two matches. They could not muster a win in both games as they lost to FC Cincinnati and then drew with Philadelphia Union.

A Good Start to the Season

Gary Smith’s side did make a good start to the season by edging out a 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders. Aníbal Godoy scored the lone goal of the game on the opening weekend, and that saw them gain some much-needed confidence.

Charles Sapong ensured they carried the momentum into the next match, where they faced Minnesota United. The USA forward scored in the 5th minute of the game, but Nashville were unable to collect all three points. Despite some good defending, Hassani Dotson managed to squeeze a goal for Minnesota and get them a point from the match.

Trouble Keeping up the Momentum

The late goal broke the confidence of Nashville players, and that was seen in the next two games. They lost 2-0 to FC Dallas – failing to get a single shot on target – and 2-1 to Real Salt Lake, despite dominating the game from the start.

Nashville managed to win their next two matches – against Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City – before drawing to San Jose Earthquakes in a thriller. The draw once again played on the back of the player’s minds in the next match when they faced LA Galaxy, and they ended up losing 1-0.

Home Is Where the Points Are

After 8 straight away games to start the season, Nashville finally got to play at home. Geodis park was ready to host matches, but the home fans could not celebrate it with a win. Mikael Uhre scored the first goal of the game for the Philadelphia Union in the 66th minute, and Nashville needed an 85th-minute penalty from Randall Leal to get a point from the match.

It did not take long for them to get their first win at home as they defeated Real Salt Lake in the next game week. Dave Romney and Charles Sapong got on the scoresheet in a one-sided game to help Nashville pick up all three points.

Once again, they failed to make the most of things in the next match and lost to Houston Dynamo away from home. They have managed to pick themselves up and have won three of their last four matches in all competitions. The only game they dropped points in was the 2-2 draw at home against Atalanta United.

Injuries and Suspensions

Anibal Godoy, Randall Leal, Teal Bunbury, Irakoze Donasiyano and Robert Castellanos are ruled out.

San Jose Earthquakes are Sinking Fast

The San Jose Earthquakes made one of the worst starts in MLS history this year. They did not win a single match in the first seven game weeks and had picked up just three points. Despite dominating possession, they started the season with a 3-1 loss at home to New York Red Bulls. They could not make the most of the control, and the opponents managed to get more shots at goal.

Francisco Calvo scored a late brace in the next game to help them get a point against Columbus Crew. He scored in the 84th and 96th minute to help them draw the match 3-3, despite being down to 10 min for over an hour.

An Uphill Battle Right From the Start

Losses to Philadelphia Union and Minnesota United followed for the Earthquakes, and they were made to fight hard for a draw against Austin FC. Their form showed no signs of improvement as they lost 4-3 to Houston Dynamo in the next match and then drew 3-3 with Nashville SC.

The winless run finally came to a halt when they picked up a stunning 4-3 win at home against Seattle Sounders. But once again, they were beaten 3-0 by reigning champions New York City FC in the next match, and fans feared another winless run. However, San Jose did well and defeated Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers while drawing against Vancouver Whitecaps and Sporting Kansas City in their next four matches.

An Unbeaten Streak Before a Meeting With the Leaders

San Jose Earthquakes did well to go on a 4-match unbeaten streak in the league, but that ended when they faced Los Angeles FC. Cristian Arango and Ryan Hollingshead gave LAFC an early lead in the first half but could not go into halftime ahead. Jeremy Ebobisse scored a quick brace to help San Jose get back on level terms, and the momentum had shifted.

However, the away side could not do much in the second half, and Brian Rodríguez made the most of his chance right after kickoff to make it 3-2 to the home side. The goal was enough to seal the win as the Earthquakes failed to get a single shot on target in the second half. To make things worse, they were knocked out of the US Open Cup by USL side the Sacramento Republic.

Injuries and Suspensions

Marcos López and Jackson Yueill are doubtful, Ousseni Bouda and Jamiro Alvarenga are on international duty, while Niko Tsakiris, Siad Haji, and George Asomani are ruled out.

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