San Jose Earthquakes vs Austin Prediction

Alright boet, let's fire up the braai and break down this MLS clash! San Jose Earthquakes are hosting Austin in what looks like a proper goal fest based on the numbers.

The Quakes are having a rough time of it lately - only 3 wins in their last 10 games and their defense is leaking like a cheap beer cooler. They're conceding 2.3 goals per game and have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 matches. At home, it's even worse with a 25% win rate and 2.5 goals shipped per game. Recent results show they can't stop anyone - 4-1 loss to Vancouver, 1-3 to St. Louis, and 2-4 to LAFC.

Austin isn't exactly setting the world on fire either, but they're slightly better with 4 wins in their last 10. They still concede plenty though - 1.7 goals per game and only one clean sheet in 10 matches. Away from home, they've won just 20% of their recent games and let in 2.0 goals per away match.

Here's where it gets interesting for us punters - these two teams LOVE scoring against each other! In 9 previous meetings, both teams have found the net 8 times. That's 89% of the time! The last meeting ended 3-1 to Austin, and before that was a 1-1 draw.

Looking at recent form, both teams are involved in high-scoring games. San Jose has seen both teams score in 90% of their last 10 matches, while Austin is at 80%. Both defenses are about as solid as a paper bag in a rainstorm.

The Quakes take more shots (14.3 per game vs Austin's 9.0) but Austin is more accurate (42% vs 36.2%). Both teams average 1.4 goals scored per game, but San Jose's defense is much worse.

With both teams struggling defensively and the head-to-head record showing goals galore, this looks like a perfect setup for both teams to score. The odds of 1.44 for BTTS Yes look like decent value given the strong trends.

Key Points:

• Both teams have terrible defensive records (only 10% clean sheets each)

• Head-to-head shows both teams scored in 8/9 meetings (89%)

• San Jose: both teams scored in 9/10 recent games (90%)

• Austin: both teams scored in 8/10 recent games (80%)

• San Jose concedes 2.5 goals per home game

• Austin concedes 2.0 goals per away game

• Last meeting ended 3-1 with both teams scoring

This has all the makings of an open, attacking game where neither defense can keep a clean sheet. Both teams need points and will likely go for it, making BTTS Yes the smart play here.