Seattle Sounders vs. San Jose Earthquakes: MLS Betting Odds, Picks and Predictions (July 10, 2020)

Sounders vs. Earthquakes Odds

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West coast foes take center stage under the Friday night lights at the MLS is Back Tournament, with defending champion Seattle going up against San Jose in a Group B showdown.

The Sounders are reportedly at full strength for the first time this season entering their match with the Earthquakes after getting off to a respectable start to its MLS campaign before the hiatus.

Seattle, which has won two of the last four MLS Cup titles, earned a 2-1 victory at CenturyLink Field in its March 1 opener, thanks to a pair of goals from Jordan Morris. The club followed that up with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against visiting Columbus on March 7 prior to play coming to a standstill.

Those results were positives for Seattle, which was eliminated from CONCACAF Champions League play by Honduran side CD Olimpia on penalty kicks in the Round of 16 of the tournament.

On the other side, San Jose could not have been overly pleased with its 0-1-1 start to its MLS season. The Earthquakes, who suffered a 5-2 blowout loss at home against Minnesota United, would be pointless had it not been for an stunning free-kick goal in the waning seconds of its opening match that led to a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC.

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Historically, the combatants always play tough, hard-nosed battles and I would expect nothing less than that in their group-stage opener.

The difference for me here — and what gives Seattle the edge — is the return of Nicolas Lodeiro to its lineup. The marquee midfielder makes everything go for the Sounders and was sorely missed at the start of the season, having been sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Lodeiro is a game changer and his vision in the middle of the park might be the best in the league. Thrusting him back in Seattle’s Starting XI gives the club a huge edge that should put it over the top in this match.

Bet Seattle, which is unbeaten in nine of its last 10 matches against San Jose across all competitions, to win outright with confidence.

I am also tacking on the total going over the number and both clubs to score. Both sides have scored at least once in each of their league matches this season and I don’t see that trend ending in this showdown.

Their defenses have been anything but stellar as well, setting the stage for what could be a spicy, back-and-forth contest.

The Bets:

• Seattle (+100)
• Over 2.5 Goals (-167)
• Both Teams To Score: Yes (-188)