LOS ANGELES FC are aiming to maintain their recent good form as they travel to Orlando City for a cross-conference MLS fixture. Los Angeles are looking almost unstoppable at the moment and should be too strong for Orlando, who have been a bit erratic lately.
Orlando City have struggled to find their best form this season as they are currently wallowing near the foot of the Eastern Conference standings. Oscar Pareja’s men have picked up just one win from their last five matches and were beaten 1-0 by New York Red Bull in their previous fixture.
Things are even worse at home for Orlando City, who are winless in their last five matches at Inter & Co Stadium. They have failed to score in the last three matches in that run and were beaten 2-0 by Columbus Crew in their previous fixture in front of their fans.
In contrast to Orlando’s struggles, Los Angeles FC are flying high at the moment, sitting just three points off top spot in the Western Conference. They are currently on a seven-match winning run and claimed a 1-0 victory over Dallas FC last time out.
Los Angeles’ good form has been driven by a solid backline that has kept six clean sheets in the last seven matches. That defensive sturdiness has also been evident on their recent travels as Steven Cherundolo’s men have won their last three away matches, keeping two clean sheets in that run.
How the bookies view it: Closely fought battle
The bookies appear to be expecting a closely fought encounter with a win for Orlando City priced at 31/20 with bet365, who is also offering 31/20 for a Los Angeles victory. A draw is set at odds of 13/5.
Head to head: Los Angeles too strong
Los Angeles have never lost in regulation time to Orlando City, claiming two wins and as many draws from four previous matches. They ran out 4-2 winners in the most recent meeting back in 2022.
Players to watch: Red hot Bouanga
Denis Bouanga has been the standout player for Los Angeles this season having scored 10 MLS goals. The forward has also found the net in the last two matches and is priced at 11/8 by bet365 to maintain his scoring run.
Los Angeles have also impressed at the back with Hugo Lloris always composed in goal While Maxime Chanot and Aaron Long are solid in central defence. All three men can combine to ensure the visitors keep their seventh straight clean sheet at 11/4 with bet365.
Probable line-ups
Orlando City are still without Michael Halliday and Tahir Reid-Brown, who remain sidelined with injury. Ramiro Enrique could be given the nod in attack as the hosts look to solve their scoring problems.
David Martinez, Luis Muller and Thomas Hasal are still sidelined with injury for Los Angeles. The visitors are unlikely to make too many changes to their team and could stick to the side that beat Dallas.
Orlando City: Gallese, Brekalo, Cartagena, Schlegel, Araujo, Porhallsson, Angulo, Lodeiro, Rafael Santos, Torres, Enrique.
Los Angeles FC: Lloris, Campos, Long, Chanot, Palencia, Autesta, Sanchez, Tillman, Bouanga, Bogusz, Olivera.
Anything else catch the eye?
Given Los Angeles’ recent defensive record and with Orlando City struggling for goals, BTTS NO could be in the cards at 6/5 by bet365. The visitors have won to nil in their last six matches and could be set for a similar outcome at 4/1 by bet365.
Los Angeles FC have multiple attacking threats and could be backed to score in both halves at 5/2 with bet365. They have also opened the scoring in their last six matches and could be set for a repeat at 10/11 with bet365.
This MLS match between Orlando City and Los Angeles FC will be played on Jun 16, 2024 and kick off at 00:30. Check below for our tipsters best Orlando City vs Los Angeles FC prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
