Prediction: Orlando City vs Inter Miami

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

With Orlando bragging rights up for grabs in the early hours of Monday, Inter Miami will travel to the Exploria Stadium when they meet Orlando.

Orlando City

Starting with the hosts, watching their extended purple patch come to an abrupt end in midweek as they suffered a 2-0 loss away at New York City, Orlando will be seeking an immediate response here. Suffering a first defeat from their last seven MLS appearances – a run that stemmed back to July 9th – the Lions will be excited to make a return to the Exploria Stadium in the early hours of Monday. Sat second in the Eastern Conference standings and cruising their way towards another play-off ticket this season, Oscar Pareja’s men have gained a reputation for their continued success on home soil. Last seen in front of their own supporters picking up an action-packed 4-3 win against Columbus, Orlando have won each of their previous five home fixtures across all competitions. It should also be highlighted, the Purples have not suffered a single loss in Florida since the end of April.

Team News

Not making a single MLS appearance since the start of July and dealing with a long-term injury issue, Orlando will once again be without 18-year-old Favian Loyola. Likewise, one-time Palmeiras defender Carlos Antonio remains a major doubt here. Forced to settle for a spot on the bench away at New York City earlier in the week, Martin Ojeda should be handed a full recall.

Returning from a suspension in midweek, Peru international Wilder Cartagena should once again partner 22-year-old Cesar Araujo in the middle of the park.

Inter Miami

As for the visitors, while Inter Miami might still be facing an uphill battle in their bid to claim a play-off ticket, the Herons are in the midst of a real flurry. Making an immediate return to winning ways earlier in the week as they landed a 4-0 romp at home against Toronto, Gerardo Martino’s side have certainly gained a string of plaudits. Losing just one of their last six MLS appearances, the one-time Barcelona boss will now be calling on his squad to find some much-needed stability on the road. Last seen on their travels getting hit with an action-packed 5-2 defeat at the hands of Atlanta, Monday’s guests have managed to muster just a pair of wins from any of their previous nine top-flight showdowns away from the DRV PNK Stadium. Despite riding a recent wave of momentum, the MLS giants will know that they face a stern test against their bitter local rivals here.

Team News

In what is a major blow for Inter Miami here, the Herons have confirmed that seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and attacking talisman Lionel Messi will miss out due to a scar tissue problem. Coming off the bench and bagging a brace against Toronto earlier in the week, 28-year-old Robert Taylor will replace the ex-PSG superstar.

Alongside Messi, Martino’s side will also be unable to call upon the trio of Gregore, Franco Negri and former Lens forward Corentin Jean.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on August 3rd, Inter Miami picked up a 3-1 victory at the DRV PNK Stadium.
• However, Orlando have won each of their last five straight showdowns at the Exploria Stadium across all competitions.
• The Herons have managed to win just a pair of their previous nine MLS appearances on the road.
• Four of the last five meetings between Orlando and Inter Miami have finished with both teams finding the net.
• The Lions have managed to claim just a single clean sheet from any of their last six matchups on home soil.

Conclusion

While Inter Miami might have claimed a lively 3-1 win when they welcomed their local rivals to the DRV PNK Stadium back on August 3rd, the Herons will be without their new attacking icon here. With Messi forced to watch on from the sidelines, neutrals could be treated to another action-packed affair in the early hours of Monday. In a showdown that famously produces a string of chances, it is worth highlighting that four of the last five meetings between the Florida rivals finished with both teams finding the net. Likewise, with seven of Miami’s last eight away fixtures finishing in an identical outcome, we are expecting chances to call at both ends of the pitch.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet