Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders - prediction, team news, lineups

San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders meet on Wednesday evening as the top two teams in the Western Conference square off in California.

While the Sounders sit in first place with 10 points from four fixtures, the home side have recorded three successive victories in MLS.

Match preview

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When his side lost out to Houston Dynamo on the opening weekend of the season, Matias Almeyda would have had concerns that his San Jose Earthquakes squad could be left facing another season in the bottom half of the table.

However, three wins in a row have put the club on track to enjoy their best campaign since 2013, when they finished in sixth spot in the Western Conference.

While it is still early days, expectations have been raised with nine goals being scored in 270 minutes and six different players finding the back of the net.

Club legend Chris Wondolowski marked his return from suspension with a late double against Real Salt Lake, completing a dramatic turnaround after the Earthquakes had trailed since the 43rd minute.

On the negative side, the Earthquakes are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, something which the Sounders will be looking to take advantage of on Wednesday.

Like their hosts, the Sounders have scored 10 goals in four matches, the latest couple of strikes coming during a 2-1 triumph over Portland Timbers.

Raul Ruidiaz netted from the penalty spot, taking his tally for the season to five, while Fredy Montero scored his second from the substitutes' bench.

As well as having the joint-best attacking record in the MLS, Brian Schmetzer will be equally satisfied with possessing the second-best defence.

Team News

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After his quickfire double as a substitute, Wondolowski will expect to be recalled to the Earthquakes' XI.

However, Almeyda may prefer to keep the veteran in reserve, instead using Cade Cowell down the middle of the attack.

Shea Salinas, Luciano Abecasis and Andres Rios are all in contention for starting roles.

Schmetzer will consider handing a first start of the season to Montero, with Will Bruin potentially dropping out of the team.

Barring any late fitness issues, the remainder of the side should stay the same for this fixture.

San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Marcinkowski; Abecasis, Jungwirth, Beason, Lopez; Yueill, Remedi; Espinoza, Lopez, Fierro; Cowell

Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Gomez, O'Neill, Tolo; A.Roldan, Paulo, Rowe, Smith; C.Roldan; Ruidiaz, Montero

We say: San Jose Earthquakes 1-1 Seattle Sounders

With both teams scoring goals for fun during their early games, the respective managers may lean towards a more defensive-minded strategy.

With that in mind, we would not be surprised to see a low-scoring share of the spoils play out on the West coast.