Verdict: Orlando City win & Orlando City to score over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Unibet
Two sides who are looking to make it back-to-back wins in the early hours of Thursday, Orlando will welcome Inter Miami to the Exploria Stadium in midweek.
Orlando City
Starting with the hosts, while Orlando might have shown some worrying inconsistencies throughout July, The Purples will be desperate to prove that was just a minor dip. Putting in what was an action-packed display last weekend, Óscar Pareja’s side managed to mount an eye-catching comeback on home soil. Eventually grabbing a pair of late goals against former champions Atlanta at the Exploria Stadium, The Lions picked up a 3-2 victory and they have found a route back to second place in the Eastern Conference. Bouncing back from that thumping defeat at the hands of New York City on July 25th, Orlando should be boosted by their continued success at home. Including back-to-back MLS victories in Florida, Pareja’s men have lost just a single matchup on home soil since opening the 2021 campaign.
Team News
Orlando will once again be without long-term absentees Pedro Gallese and Alexandre Pato on Thursday.
Likewise, also still dealing with knocks, the trio of Junior Urso, Jhegson Mendez and Wilfredo Riveira could also be set for a stint on the sidelines.
Inter Miami
As for the visitors, also managing to complete what was an impressive turnaround on home soil last weekend, Inter Miami are a side that are desperately seeking some stability. Despite falling 1-0 down against Montreal last time out, former Juventus star Gonzalo Higuaín bagged a pair of second-half goals as Phil Neville’s men picked up what was a much-needed victory. However, while The Herons might have picked up their first MLS win since the middle of May, Miami still find themselves sat rock-bottom of the Eastern Conference. Largely failing to find their feet under the one-time Manchester United defender, Thursday’s guests have continued to show a host of issues on the road. Last seen away from the DRV PNK Stadium getting hit with another 1-0 loss at the hands of Montreal, it should be noted that Inter have lost their last three away fixtures by an identical outcome.
Team News
Bagging a brace against Montreal last weekend, Gonzalo Higuain will once again lead Inter Miami’s charge on Thursday.
However, Leandro Gonzalez will miss out in Florida as he serves a suspension.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides last faced off on June 26th, Orlando picked up a 2-1 victory on the road.
- Along with collecting 12 points from their last five MLS home fixtures, Thursday’s hosts have lost just a single matchup at the Exploria Stadium so far this season.
- Inter Miami’s victory last weekend was their first MLS win since the middle of May.
- Thursday’s guests have lost each of their last three away fixtures by a score of 1-0.
- Nine of Orlando’s last 10 matchups have seen over 2.5 goals by the final whistle.
Conclusion
While Inter Miami might have managed to land a much-needed victory last weekend, Phil Neville’s side will know that face a stern test in the early hours of Thursday. Firmly rooted to the foot of the Eastern Conference and showing a host of issues on the road so far this season, Orlando should be confident of making it back-to-back victories. Mounting that eye-catching comeback against Atlanta last time out, The Purples have really gained a reputation for their success on home soil. Mustering 12 points from their last five MLS home contests and with just a single defeat at Exploria Stadium since opening the 2021 campaign, we’re backing a similar home victory here.
Verdict: Orlando City win & Orlando City to score over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Unibet
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