- Form: San Jose Earthquakes have a more impressive MLS 2026 record of 10 wins, two draws and three defeats to Los Angeles Galaxy's 5 wins, 5 draws and 6 defeats.
- Head-to-head: The last meeting between the two teams was a 1-1 draw in MLS 2025 and the previous three fixtures have finished 1-1, with a win for each side.
- Odds: San Jose are favoured by the bookmakers at 1.66 with LA Galaxy at 4.33 and the draw at 4.2.
LA Galaxy have the potential to cause an upset in MLS 2026 clash
San Jose have the momentum behind them to win the MLS 2026 version of the California Clasico on Sunday, but LA Galaxy have the quality to upset the odds at Stanford Stadium, USA.
The San Jose-based club have been in better form than their LA rivals this year with Earthquakes sitting 3rd in MLS 2026 with 32 points from 15 games, while Galaxy are 16th with 20 points from 16 games.
And the Quakes have been more efficient with the chances they have created as they have conceded only 15 goals in 15 MLS 2026 matches – one per game. LA Galaxy, by contrast, have shipped 25 goals at a rate of 1.56 per match.
Quakes have the energy to make the most of their chances
San Jose form and betting angle
Bruce Arena's men have been the more impressive outfit for much of the campaign and their record of 10-2-3 makes them standout favourites for the win at 1.66. A draw at 4.2 is an underrated option and we're passing up both bets in favour of over 2.5 goals at 1.43 and both teams to score at 1.49 as the odds best fit a game that should be played at a high tempo.
San Jose have been inconsistent recently, but they have not been boring as their last five games in all competitions suggest (1-1-3). They lost 0-2 to Colorado Rapids in the US Open Cup, but won 1-3 over Portland Timbers in MLS 2026, so the floor has been relatively high and the ceiling higher.
Galaxy tactics and form
Greg Vanney has been LA Galaxy's coach since 2 December 2020 and he continues to base his approach on a possession-based 4-3-3 formation, but he is open to mixing it up and moving the full backs forward to create overloads.
LA Galaxy's recent form has also been a mixed bag of results with 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats across all competitions.
Livewire L.A. Galaxy can trouble San Jose
Gabriel Pec has five MLS 2026 goals in 14 appearances, but four have come in the Galaxy's last six games so he is the livewire to watch when it comes to a potential upset result on Sunday. Preston Judd is the main man for San Jose with 11 MLS 2026 goals in 15 matches, but he also has four of his team's last five.
This is a classic clash of styles between a pressing San Jose that want to win the ball quickly and make direct transitions versus a more patient Galaxy side that will slow the pace down and work the ball patiently. That should open the game up if San Jose win turnovers early, but it could just as easily turn into a chess match if the Galaxy can hold possession.
The Earthquakes have been more productive than the Galaxy so far this season and Arena's structure and organisation since 1 January 2025 is clearly benefiting the team. They are the likelier winner of this game, but the even head-to-head record and LA Galaxy's attack mean it should be close.
