The San Jose Earthquakes (0 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws) host the Columbus Crew (1-0-0) at PayPal Park Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the San Jose vs. Columbus odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
The Crew had a disappointing 2021 campaign but started off 2022 with a strong win over 4-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. Two of those goals were scored after a Vancouver 53rd-minute red card.
Columbus is led by 2021 All-Star M Lucas Zelarayan, who recorded a goal and an assist in the team’s opener. This will be the Crew’s first road game of the season. They were 3-9-5 away from Lower.com Field last season.
The Earthquakes are coming off a disappointing 3-1 home loss to the New York Red Bulls in their opener. San Jose allowed 7 shots on target in the defeat.
M Javier Lopez did get the Earthquakes on the board with a 69th-minute goal to square the game at 1. San Jose finished 10th in the Western Conference a season ago and seems primed to be near the bottom yet again.
San Jose vs. Columbus: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:41 a.m. ET.
- Money line: San Jose +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Columbus +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Draw +240
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
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Prediction
Columbus 2, San Jose 1
Money line (ML)
“LEAN” to COLUMBUS (+160).
I prefer the total as my best bet, but Columbus looked great in its opener. Zelarayan is among the top-five midfielders in the MLS, and he captained the team with poise.
The Crew put 3 goals on the Whitecaps, who finished 6th in the West last season. San Jose lost at home to New York. While the Red Bulls are a quality side, the Crew will be just as good if not better.
Given Columbus’ form and San Jose not being able to defend its home field in its opener, I expect the Crew to come out on top.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET on the OVER 2.5 (-135).
It’s a tad pricey, but there’s no other way to play this match. San Jose allowed 3 goals to New York and Columbus scored 3 on Vancouver, a team that allowed just 45 in 34 games last year.
The Earthquakes were tied for the third-worst Western Conference defense last season, giving up 54 goals in 34 games.
The Crew, on the other hand, didn’t allow a goal, but Vancouver did get 7 shots off. Columbus allowed 1.3 goals per game a season ago, so it’d be relatively shocking to see two clean sheets to start the season.
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