This season’s first Californian Clasico takes place on Saturday night between San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy and the game at Stanford Stadium should be a close one.

The Western Conference rivals come into the game in solid form, with only two losses in their last 15 MLS games combined.

San Jose have lost just one of their last eight and will be full of confidence following their 2-0 win at Western leaders Seattle Sounders last weekend. The victory was their second at CenturyLink Field this term as Dominic Kinnear’s side have proved to be stiff opposition against the top sides in MLS.

They’ve already beaten Columbus Crew and the Vancouver Whitecaps as well as the two victories against Seattle so Quakes fans will be looking forward to the clash with the Galaxy this weekend.

The Californian Clasico is one of the most intense rivalries in MLS but the Galaxy face a tough task in regaining energy and focus after their midweek game against the Portland Timbers, even if they did win 5-0.

Bruce Arena’s team have picked up their form in recent weeks as Robbie Keane’s return to fitness has boosted the team, while new signing Sebastian Lletget has started life in MLS very well.

Both players found the net in Wednesday’s huge win over Portland but Arena fielded a very strong side for that game and it will be interesting to see how many can go again on Saturday.

The major worry for last season’s MLS Cup winners will be that they have still yet to win away from StubHub Center in 2015.

LA have picked up just five points from a possible 27 on the road this season and are a shadow of the side that control games in front of their own fans when away.

They have scored 16 goals in their last three games in all competitions, but all of those goals have come at StubHub Center, and it’s tough to see them continuing to score freely on the road this week.

Many would assume that given LA’s superior squad strength they will go on to win the game, but San Jose have proven to be a well oiled machine this year and will fancy their chances.

The last two games between these two have ended as draws and a third straight tie at 9/4 looks good value.

LA have not won in their last 15 MLS games away from home. They may be coming into the game off two huge wins in which they’ve scored ten goals, but this will be a stern test for the reigning champions.

San Jose boast the second best defensive record in the league and so it should be a tight contest. Backing under 2.5 goals at 7/10 looks a safe bet as the Quakes have seen under 2.5 in 10 of their last 11 MLS games.

Recommended Bets:

Under 2.5 goals @ 7/10

Match to end a draw @ 9/4

Match to end 1-1 @ 6/1

For all the latest MLS betting click here.