Orlando vs LAFC: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Orlando welcome LAFC to the Inter & Co Stadium in a game which has significant importance in the standings of both conferences.

Date: 16/06/24

Kick-off time: 00:30

Venue: Inter & Co Stadium

The hosts Orlando City are fighting for a top nine place to make it into the playoff picture in the Easteren Conferecne, as they currently sit just outside in 11th. They have played 16 games, and are on 17 points, two behind Nashville who are in ninth, and three behind eighth place Philadelphia. However, it is congested in this area of the table, meaning they also have to look over their shoulders at the teams below them. They are level on points with Montreal Impact, but are also only two points ahead of second bottom Chicago Fire. This means that victory will be crucial to avoid dropping any further.

Winning will be no easy feat, though, as they take on an LAFC side who are second in the Western Conference. It has been an excellent season so far for the visitors, as they are just three points off the top with a game in hand. Victory could draw them level with Real Salt Lake, but defeat could see them fall all the way down to fourth should results go against them.

LAFC are winners of their last five games, and have not conceded a single goal in this time. This means a daunting task awaits for Orlando to try and breach the stubborn defence. Orlando themselves have not scored more than once in any of their last five, and have been shut out three times. Their main threat who will hope to get them on the scoresheet is Duncan McGuire, who has five goals on the year. LAFC will lean on the services of Denis Bouanga, who has netted 10 times this season.

These two teams have met just four times in MLS history, with not much to split the pair results wise. Los Angeles have won twice, including the first meeting and latest meeting. The other two games ended in an Orlando win and a draw, which Orlando won after a penalty shootout in the MLS is Back tournament in 2020. LAFC have been prolific in this matchup, scoring 11 goals in the four fixtures. The last one ended 4-2 in their favour, with Brian Rodriguez, Jesus Murillo, Ilie Sanchez and Kwadwo Opoku all on the scoresheet. Alexandre Pato and Joao Moutinho were the scorers for Orlando.

Orlando City

Mikey Halliday and Tahir Reid-Brown missed the last game with knee and thigh injuries respectively. This means their status is in question for the next game.

LAFC

Lorenzo Dellavalle, David Martinez and Luis Muller have all been dealing with injuries, meaning their availability is in doubt for the upcoming game. There should be no injury concerns otherwise.

Orlando

In their last five games, Orlando City have won one, drawn two and lost two. It has been a poor stretch for Orlando, as they have struggled to pick up wins in recent weeks. The first game of this run, however, ended in a draw. It was a goalless tie with Inter Miami as their defence held firm against a talented attack, though they did not have to face Lionel Messi. Inter edged possession, but Orlando enjoyed more shot attempts.

They responded well to the dropped points with their only win of the run, a 1-0 victory against San Jose Earthquakes. Once again it was a very even game, but this time Orlando were able to get that crucial goal. It came very late, with Jack Lynn’s 88th minute winner the difference between the two sides. Unable to continue the winning momentum, they fell 2-0 at home to Columbus Crew in their next game. Diego Rossi scored a brace for the visitors, the first coming on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot. He netted his second 15 minutes into the second half, as Columbus found the net with two of their three shots on target.

The mini losing streak was snapped with another draw, this time 1-1 at Chicago Fire. Facundo Torres put Orlando ahead after four minutes, and this was a lead they held until the 70th minute when Hugo Cuypers equalised. Their most recent game was a 1-0 defeat at New York Red Bulls. Orlando were unable to generate much of an attacking threat despite their superior possession, as they only mustered one shot on target. Red Bulls took advantage of their opportunity, with John Tolkin scoring the only goal of the game in the 38th minute.

LAFC

In their last five games, LAFC have been perfect, winning all five of them. It has been a dominant stretch for the side as they compete near the top of the standings. Their latest game was a narrow 1-0 win, as they beat FC Dallas at home. Despite giving up more possession, they created plenty of opportunities throughout the game and eventually took one of them, with Denis Bouanga netting the decisive goal in the 74th minute.

This followed a 2-0 win at home to Minnesota. Bouanga was the scorer of the opening goal, as he converted a 38th minute penalty. It remained this way for a while, but they managed to grab a second late on to take the game away, with a goal from Mateusz Bogusz. They showcased their strengths at both ends of the pitch, restricting their visitors to just one shot on target. Atlanta United were their opponents the week before and it was another 1-0 win. Bogusz broke the deadlock three minutes after the hosts were reduced to 10 men with goalkeeper Brad Guzan seeing red. LA then had a man of their own sent off when Eduard Atuesta was dismissed. They were able to hang on to get the win.

Attention shifted to cup action as they took on USL side Loudoun United in the US Open Cup Round of 16. They won 3-0 to advance with goals from Timothy Tillman, Cristian Olivera and Tomas Angel Gutierrez. The first game of this run was a 2-0 win at St. Louis. Bouanga scored a second half brace, including one deep into second half stoppage time, as they took advantage of their hosts being reduced to 10 men.

These two sides are in contrasting form, with LAFC looking unstoppable and Orlando struggling for wins. We expect this trend to continue with an LAFC victory on the road – Orlando 1-3 LAFC

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Orlando vs LAFC will be available to watch on Apple TV.

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