The second match of the 2017 Major League Soccer playoffs will see Vancouver Whitecaps welcome San Jose Earthquakes to BC Place in the knockout round.
Vancouver Whitecaps last reached the playoff stage of the competition in 2015, when they were eliminated at the semi-final stage. They have also contested the knockout round twice in 2012 and 2014 only to be dismissed at the first time of asking. San Jose Earthquakes last reached the playoffs in 2012 having finished top of their conference and the overall standings but could not get beyond the semi-final stage.
MLS – BC Place, Vancouver – Thursday 26th October 2017 – 03:30 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 11/4 at Ladbrokes |
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Vancouver Whitecaps FC
San Jose EarthquakesVancouver Whitecaps Form
Vancouver Whitecaps finished third in the Western Conference and will be a little disappointed they did not top the table. They finished just 1 point behind Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders and the defeat at Portland in the final match of the regular season was costly. In fact, Vancouver Whitecaps hit a run of poor form at the wrong time as they won only 1 of their last 5 games in the regular season. There were defeats at Seattle Sounders, New York Red Bulls and Portland Timers.
The only win on their last 5 games came at Sporting Kansas City on the 5th October and there was also a draw at home on the 16th October with upcoming opponents, San Jose Earthquakes. Vancouver Whitecaps have lost only 1 of their last 11 home MLS games.
San Jose Earthquakes Form
San Jose Earthquakes finished 6th in the Western Conference but were level on points with FC Dallas, who did not make it into the end of season playoffs.
A good run of form at the end of the season allowed San Jose Earthquakes to claim the final spot in this season’s knockout round. They defeated Portland Timbers and Minnesota United at home and picked up a crucial point at Vancouver Whitecaps. San Jose Earthquakes have been very strong at home but have struggled badly on the road. They have lost 8 of their last 10 away matches, picking up just a single victory.
Team News
Vancouver Whitecaps have injury concerns over two players heading into this match and Matias Laba and David Edgar will not feature. They are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Fredy Montero leading the attack. San Jose Earthquakes travel without the injured trio of Harold Cummings, Marvell Wynne and Fatai Alashe. There are also doubts over Nick Lima, who is struggling with a hamstring injury. San Jose Earthquakes are expected to start the match in the same formation as the hosts.
Top Betting Tips
Vancouver Whitecaps need to pick up their performance level after it dropped off towards the end of the season, but San Jose Earthquakes have been so poor away from home, the hosts must start the match as favourites for the win. San Jose Earthquakes are 18/5 with Ladbrokes to win the match. San Jose Earthquakes have failed to score in 5 of their last 7 away MLS games and Vancouver Whitecaps know if they can keep a clean sheet they should win this match. Vancouver Whitecaps to win to nil is on offer at 11/5 with Ladbrokes. Vancouver Whitecaps have won 4 of their last 5 home victories by a single goal margin and you can back them to do the same in this match at 8/11 with Ladbrokes.