The San Jose Earthquakes (1 wins, 5 losses, 3 draws) welcome the Colorado Rapids (3-3-3) to PayPal Park Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
San Jose has made up some ground after a horrific start to the season. The Earthquakes lost 3 of their first 4, but are 1-1-1 in the last 3. They’ve allowed a league-most 23 goals in 9 matches.
The Earthquakes have given up 2 or more goals in 5 straight games. San Jose is led by 25-year-old American F Jeremy Ebobisse with 5 goals. San Jose’s 15 goals rank 3rd in the West.
Colorado finished atop the West last season, led by a defense which allowed 35 goals in 34 games. The Rapids have allowed just 11 goals in 9 games this season, but have struggled to score.
The Rapids are led by 28-year-old Chilean F Diego Rubio, who has 5 goals. Colorado is 0-1-3 on the road this season and is 8th in the Western Conference.
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San Jose vs. Colorado odds, lines, 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 Friday at 3:26 p.m. ET.
- Money line: San Jose +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Colorado +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Draw +255
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
[tipico]
Prediction
Colorado 2, San Jose 1
Money line (ML)
BET COLORADO +175.
I’m fully on the boat that the Rapids are better than they’ve played this season. Rubio is playing well and M Jack Price, who had 12 assists last season, should see more offensive involvement as the season progresses.
Colorado ranks 15th in expected goals while San Jose is 9th. However, its expected goals against is 24th (28th would be the best) and San Jose is 10th. Colorado’s top-tier defense should have more success than San Jose’s league-worst defense.
Bettors are getting a great price point considering the Rapids struggle on the road, having yet to win.
Colorado has lost 3 of 4 road games, all against West teams currently in playoff position. Expect the Rapids to have a better showing against San Jose.
With this value, I’d consider only a half-unit bet, but it’s still my favorite angle of the game.
Over/Under (O/U)
LEAN to the OVER 2.5 (-135).
I love the bet, but the value isn’t necessarily there. As noted above, San Jose scores at a high rate, and Colorado defends at a high rate. The same is true when you flip them.
Despite Colorado’s strong defense, it has still gone over this total in 4 of its 9 games, and now it’ll be taking on a team that plays at one of the highest paces in the MLS.
San Jose is 6-3 O/U this season at this total.
It has had 2.5 or more expected goals between it and its opponent in its last 5 games. Considering its disgustingly atrocious defense, I’d bet Colorado breaks through multiple times.
The over is a strong play in this game.
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