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Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between San Jose Earthquakes and Minnesota United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two teams battling for Major League Soccer playoff spots will meet this weekend when San Jose Earthquakes look to recover from their midweek loss by hosting Minnesota United.

The visitors currently sit just above their opponents in the league table, but with only goal difference between them, there is plenty on the line in this particular fixture.

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Match preview

San Jose Earthquakes were involved in a five-goal thriller in midweek against LA Galaxy, but despite going into halftime with a 2-1 lead courtesy of an own goal from Lucas Calegari and a finish from Jeremy Ebobisse they were not able to hold on.

The 3-2 defeat means that Luchi Gonzalez's men head into this weekend on the back of consecutive defeats, which is something the team will be keen to put behind them.

Right now, the Goonies sit just outside of the MLS playoff positions, but that is something that a win against Minnesota United would change considering they are level on points at the moment.

Fortunately for San Jose Earthquakes, they have been far superior at home this season, picking up seven of their nine victories at PayPal Park so far.

However, with only two wins in their previous six matches in all competitions, the Goonies will need to start picking up some consistent results if they want to secure a playoff finish.

That is something that the visitors seem to have found due to the fact they have lost just once in their last six games, and they come into this weekend on a three-match undefeated streak.

The latest of those games took place in midweek when Minnesota United soundly defeated Colorado Rapids by three goals to nil courtesy of an Emanuel Reynoso brace and a goal from former Premier League striker Teemu Pukki.

It continued the strong away run that Adrian Heath has guided his team to this season, but that will certainly be tested this weekend against a squad who are confident in front of their home fans.

Minnesota United will be attempting to put some distance between themselves and the Goonies in the league table, but they will also have one eye above them because a win could potentially move them into fourth place depending on other results.

The Loons are one of the most attacking away teams in the MLS Eastern Conference and that in itself should lead to them causing some problems this weekend even though San Jose Earthquakes have proven to be hard to score against at home.

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Team News

After scoring his eighth goal of the MLS season in midweek, it is expected that Ebobisse will lead the line for San Jose Earthquakes at the weekend.

The creativity of Jamiro Monteiro will also be important, with five assists to his name so far in this campaign he should feature in the number 10 role.

Nathan remains an absentee for the Goonies due to a knee injury, while Judson has also been missing for five matches because of a muscle issue.

For the visitors, Pukki is expected to continue leading the line as he aims to keep up his goalscoring form, fresh from scoring in midweek.

However, the Loons are without Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Kervin Arriaga at the moment due to both men suffering knee injuries.

San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Trauco, Beason, Rodrigues, Akapo; Gruezo, Yueill; Cowell, Monteiro, Espinoza; Ebobisse

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Tapias, Bristow; Trapp, Gregus; Dotson, Reynoso, Rosales; Pukki

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We say: San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 Minnesota United

With only goal difference to split them in the league table, there is likely going to be very little between these two teams at the weekend in what should be a competitive match.

However, the recent run of Minnesota United coupled with their strong away form could be enough for them to just edge three points here.

How to watch

You can watch San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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