{"id":811,"date":"2026-02-18T11:05:44","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T16:05:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/?post_type=news&p=811"},"modified":"2026-04-14T10:37:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T14:37:02","slug":"san-jose-earthquakes-vs-sporting-kansas-city-predictions-odds-picks-stats","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/san-jose-earthquakes-vs-sporting-kansas-city-predictions-odds-picks-stats\/","title":{"rendered":"San Jose Earthquakes vs Sporting Kansas City prediction: Odds, picks & stats – MLS game preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The San Jose Earthquakes welcome Sporting Kansas City to PayPal Park for what promises to be a high-stakes start to the 2026 MLS campaign<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This fixture brings together two sides looking to rebound after tough 2025 seasons\u2014San Jose aiming to build on attacking promise, and Sporting KC desperate to shore up a leaky defense. With SKC holding a dominant head-to-head record, all eyes are on whether San Jose can reverse the trend and kick off their new season with a statement win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Best Bets & Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Based on 2025 season trends and a lopsided head-to-head record, our top picks focus on San Jose’s attacking power and Sporting KC’s defensive vulnerabilities. We’re especially confident in both teams finding the net, given the high-scoring history between these sides and the lack of clean sheets last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Our Prediction<\/th>\nOdds & Sportsbook<\/th>\nConfidence<\/th>\nWhy We’re Backing It<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Both Teams to Score<\/strong><\/td>\n-110 @ Bet365<\/a>
(52.4%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nSan Jose and Sporting KC combined for over 120 goals last season; defenses struggled.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
San Jose Earthquakes to Win<\/strong><\/td>\n+120 @ Bet365<\/a>
(45.5%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nSan Jose scored 14 more goals than Sporting KC last year and finished higher in the West.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Over 2.5 Goals<\/strong><\/td>\n-125 @ Bet365<\/a>
(55.6%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nBoth teams averaged over 3 goals per match combined in 2025; expect fireworks again.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cristian Arango to Score Anytime<\/strong><\/td>\n+180 @ Bet365<\/a>
(35.7%)<\/td>\n		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nArango scored 13 last season and faces a Sporting KC defense that conceded 70 goals.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our approach: Start with Both Teams to Score as a foundation, then add San Jose to win and Over 2.5 for strong parlay value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Odds correct at the time of writing.<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Season Form & Standings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 2025 MLS Regular Season saw both San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting KC struggle for consistency, with San Jose finishing 10th in the Western Conference and Sporting KC bottoming out at 15th. The Quakes narrowly missed the Playoffs, while SKC endured a tough campaign, conceding the most goals in the Conference. Neither side made the postseason, but the Earthquakes’ superior attack gives them a slight edge as they enter 2026 looking for a Playoff breakthrough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2025 MLS Western Conference Standings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Team<\/th>\nPos<\/th>\nGP<\/th>\nW<\/th>\nD<\/th>\nL<\/th>\nGF<\/th>\nGA<\/th>\nGD<\/th>\nPts<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
San Jose Earthquakes<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n34<\/td>\n11<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n15<\/td>\n60<\/td>\n63<\/td>\n-3<\/td>\n41<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sporting Kansas City<\/td>\n15<\/td>\n34<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n20<\/td>\n46<\/td>\n70<\/td>\n-24<\/td>\n28<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Potential Match-Winners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n