LA Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes, 2016 MLS: Match Preview

It is Rivalry Week in MLS, and after a week off, the red-hot LA Galaxy play host to their second California Clasico of the year.

Should the LA Galaxy avoid defeat on Sunday, it would be an astounding nine games unbeaten for Bruce Arena's men. What's more, if you analyze every one of their home games, only the Portland Timbers have been able to keep the Galaxy under three goals.

Given this, if the Galaxy's form wasn't a cause of concern for the San Jose Earthquakes already, there is also the fact that they haven't won at StubHub Center since 2012. That is a total of five games without a win in Carson.

After 11 weeks, Bruce Arena's side have gone and stressed their credentials and they may well be the best team of the tournament so far. At least when it comes to range of this team, they have a depth beyond any other squad in MLS.

The San Jose Earthquakes, on the other hand, are still searching for their very first road win of the season. In fact, a victory outside of the Aviva stadium hasn't happened since August 22, 2015 when they beat D.C. United 2-0 at RFK Stadium.

While Dominic Kinnear's side obviously do not have the overall momentum of the Galaxy, they are presented with a genuinely intriguing opportunity to spoil the party for their rivals. After all, this is a rivalry match and there is no lost love between these two teams.

The Galaxy have done very little wrong, but losing their impressive run to the Earthquakes would be a gesture reflected poorly on their fans. If there is one game the Galaxy don't want to lose it is this one.

LAST MEETING

LA Galaxy 3-1 San Jose Earthquakes - March 19, 2016 - MLS

After a controversial sending off, Gyasi Zardes scored twice to help the Galaxy to a comfortable 3-1 win over the Earthquakes.

LIKELY LINE-UPS

LA Galaxy (4-4-2): Rowe; Rogers, Leonardo, Van Damme, Cole; Gerrard, Boateng, Lletget, Dos Santos; Zardes, Keane

San Jose Earthquakes (4-4-2): Bingham; Sarkodie, Wynne, Bernardez, Francis; Quintero, Alashe, Godoy, Perez Garcia; Dawkins, Wondolowski