Charlotte welcome Orlando City to the Bank of America Stadium in an Eastern Conference MLS showdown. Both teams come into this clash needing an upturn in results having found things difficult in recent weeks.
Charlotte come into this clash off the back of a 3-2 defeat at Chicago Fire last time out in the MLS. That was their fourth defeat in the last five matches and leaves them 10th in the Eastern Conference.
The good news for Charlotte is that they have been on the road in the last six matches and are back at the Bank of America Stadium for this clash. Dean Smith's men have won six of their last eight home matches in the league.
Orlando City are further up the table from the hosts and sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. However, they have also found things difficult lately, losing three of their last five matches, including a 2-1 home defeat to Cincinnati in their previous MLS fixture.
A strange thing about Orlando City this season is that they have fared better on their travels so far. Oscar Pareja’s men have won four of their last five away matches in the league.
How the bookies view it: Slight edge for Orlando
Orlando City have the slight edge among the bookies in this fixture and are valued at 5/4 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Charlotte is priced at 6/4, while a draw is set at odds of 13/5.
Head to head: Upper hand for Orlando
Orlando City have a 5-2 advantage with four draws from 11 previous matches against Charlotte. The hosts claimed a 3-1 home victory in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Pasalic catches the eye
Marco Pasalic has stood out for Orlando City this season, scoring nine MLS goals so far. The forward has also been on target three times in the last two matches and will be keen to maintain his scoring run (Marco Pasalic Anytime Goalscorer 2/1 with BoyleSports).
With top scorer Patrick Agyemang still at the Gold Cup, Charlotte will look to Wilfried Zaha to provide the spark in attack. The forward has five goals this season and could be worth keeping an eye on (Patrick Agyemang Anytime Goalscorer – 15/8).
Probable line-ups
Agyemang remains on international duty and misses this clash. Liel Abada should feature in attack alongside Wildfired Zaha while Malanda is expected to start at the back.
Joran Gerbet and Duncan McGuire remain sidelined for Orlando City and are expected to miss this clash. Martin Ojeda and Enrique Ramiro should feature in attack, with Pasalic providing support while Rodrigo Schledel is set to line up at the back.
Charlotte: Kahlina, Doumbia, Privett, Malanda, Marshall-Rutty, Westwood, Bronico, Abada, Biel, Zaha, Toklomati
Orlando City: Gallese,Thorhallsson, Schlegel, Jansson, Brekalo, Araujo, Atuesta, Pasalic, Angulo, Ojeda, Enrique
Anything else catch the eye?
The last two meetings between both teams produced over 2.5 goals – priced at 1/2 by BoyleSports. Charlotte’s last two matches have served up over 3.5 goals – available at odds of 13/10.
Three of Orlando City’s last five matches have produced over 1.5 goals before the break (First Half over 1.5 goals valued at 5/4).
Charlotte vs Orlando City Betting Tips & Predictions
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