San Jose Earthquakes forward Preston Judd believes their next match against Real Salt Lake is a must-win game.

The Earthquakes occupy the final playoff spot in the Western Conference but are only one point ahead of RSL, who have played one match fewer.

San Jose have been in poor form of late, failing to win each of their last five MLS games, last winning against nine-man FC Dallas on June 26.

Their last match ended in a 3-2 defeat to the Seattle Sounders, but Judd is confident they can pull off a big result against RSL this weekend.

"I think it's a big ask in Salt Lake. They're playing good right now," said Judd after the loss to Seattle.

"But it's almost a must-win, so we're going to go out there, we're going to give our best, be better defensively, keep scoring goals, and we're going to get a result in Salt Lake.

"I think I found myself in the system and this team. I think I found my confidence in the locker room and on the field.

"I feel good. I think I'm showing what I can do. Obviously it hurts at the end of the day when we don't get at least a point there, so it's frustrating at the same time. But I'm happy with the way I'm playing.

"We didn't give up today. It was just a lack of moments, lack of defense in some moments and breaking down. And I think we're going to get better, and we're going to fix it for the rest of the season, and we’re going to make a playoff push at the end of the season."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Diogo Goncalves

Goncalves has been RSL's leading attacker this season, scoring three goals and providing four assists.

The midfielder has played a significant role in RSL's recent form, scoring twice and assisting once in their last six games.

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Arango

Arango is the Earthquakes' top-scorer this season with 11 goals in the league.

Arango has scored five goals in four career regular-season matches against RSL, averaging 1.29 goals per 90 minutes, the highest average by any player who has played 300 or more career regular-season minutes against them.

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN

RSL saw their five-match unbeaten run snapped with a 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati last Saturday. RSL have lost consecutive matches only once since the start of May.

San Jose have lost their last two away matches, conceding seven goals in those defeats.

The Earthquakes had lost just one of their previous six on the road (W3 D2), allowing a total of just five goals in those matches.

However, San Jose have won three of their last five away matches against RSL (L2), including a 2-0 win last August. The Earthquakes had recorded just three wins in their first 17 away matches against RSL prior to winning three of the last five.

In their last six league matches, Salt Lake have won four, drawn one and lost one. The Earthquakes, meanwhile, have won one, drawn three and lost two in their last six.

OPTA WIN PREDICTION

Real Salt Lake – 52.3%

Draw – 24.3%

San Jose Earthquakes – 23.3%