- San Jose manager: Bruce Arena has built a vertical, transition-heavy and structured San Jose team since 1 January 2025.
- Minnesota form: Minnesota United are unbeaten in five matches, winning two and drawing three.
- Minnesota manager: Cameron Knowles has introduced an adaptable, possession-based and compact pressing system to Minnesota since 12 January 2026.
Two of the best at the top of their respective divisions
San Jose Earthquakes rank 8th in the MLS 2026 with 52 points from 33 matches, while Minnesota United sit 25th with 38 points from 32 games.
That's not a bad thing at this stage of the season and it is testament to their form at home that Minnesota still have an outside chance of qualifying for the post-season. The Loons have won two and drawn one of their last three home games and have gone 2 wins and 3 draws from their last five overall. San Jose have gone 0-1-1 in their last two away, which is enough of a concern to make Minnesota the favourites here at 1.73. The Quakes are available at 4.0 and the draw at 4.1.
San Jose are sharp enough to trouble Minnesota
Recent results:
San Jose's last three results have seen them lose 3-0 away at FC Dallas, draw 2-2 at home to Colorado Rapids and win 2-1 at home to Real Salt Lake. They are in good shape and should be confident of troubling the Loons on Sunday, even if they haven't won their last away game against Minnesota.
Head-to-head:
That matchup has historically gone the way of Minnesota in recent years, with the hosts winning four of the last five meetings and San Jose claiming just one win. Minnesota also thrashed the Quakes 5-1 away in MLS 2026 just two months ago, so the visitors will have some serious concerns going into this fixture.
A battle of styles
Knowles' Minnesota style is all about possession, creative play from deep and controlling the game, while Arena's San Jose are about vertical play, directness and fast transitions. Who wins the middle third battle is likely to be pivotal in determining the outcome, with the visitors keen to take advantage of space behind the line and Minnesota looking to smother San Jose's attacks in the thirds.
The hosts look marginally the more likely side to win, but we're getting a good value on both teams to score at 1.44, which suggests that the game could be lively. Over 2.5 goals at 1.44 looks like a better option than the 1.73 available on Minnesota, although the 5-1 result in the last head-to-head does give us cause to believe that there will be goals.
Top finishers could thrive
- Kelvin Yeboah has been Minnesota's best and most reliable forward in MLS 2026, scoring 14 times in 26 matches and four goals in the club's last five.
- He's the best bet to hit the scoresheet on Sunday for the host side, while Preston Judd is the pick for San Jose after notching 15 in 25 appearances in MLS 2026.
- Jack Jasinski, hitting two of their six in the past five matches, has a solid chance of getting on the scoreboard on Sunday.
