It hasn’t been the best of starts for expansion team Orlando City SC who stumbled to yet another defeat at the hands of Toronto FC last week. It was Orlando City’s third consecutive defeat at home as they remained winless at Orlando Citrus Bowl this season.
They will look to grab that breakthrough home victory this coming Friday when they take on the New England Revolution. Can Orlando City grab its maiden home win against the Eastern Conference leaders? Or will the Revolution pile more misery on a struggling Orlando City side?
Read on below for a preview of this MLS matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our Champions League second leg preview of Juventus vs. Real Madrid.
[sc:Soccer ]New England Revolution vs. Orlando City SC Betting Preview
Where: Orlando Citrus Bowl, Orlando
When: Friday, May 8, 8:00 PM ET
Line: New England Revolution at Orlando City SC – view all MLS lines
Betting on New England Revolution
New England stretched its unbeaten run to seven games with a 2-1 victory over the previously unbeaten New York Red Bulls on Saturday night. It was the third consecutive win for the Revolution who moved into a tie for first place with D.C. United in the Eastern Conference standings with 17 points.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Key to New England’s sudden resurgence is the excellent form of Charlie Davies. He has scored a goal in each of the Revolution’s last three victories. His goal against the Red Bulls was a thing of beauty as he unleashed a spectacular diving header in the ninth minute to give New England the early lead.
Davis has been on an absolute tear since barging into New England’s starting XI on March 28, starting all five of the Revolution’s wins and helping them to their current unbeaten streak. He will fancy his chances of continuing his brilliant form against an Orlando defense that has already conceded 10 goals this season, third-highest in the Eastern Conference.
New England’s offense as a whole is in full flow right now with the Revolution scoring a total of 12 goals in their last six matches.
The Revolution are 2-2-0 on the road this season.
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Betting on Orlando City SC
Things are going from bad to worse for Orlando City SC as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Toronto FC on April 26. It was the second consecutive loss for Orlando City who dropped down to seventh in the Eastern Conference standings with eight points to their name.
It was a frustrating loss for the Lions who had majority of the possession (65%) against Toronto. Unfortunately for manager Adrian Heath, his side lacked the penetration in the final third to dissect a stubborn Toronto side that snapped its four-game losing slump. Offense has been the main problem for the Lions this season, with just six goals this campaign. That is the second-worst mark in the Eastern Conference this year.
For Orlando City to snap its losing rut this coming Friday, it needs a huge performance from star signing Kaka. The 33-year-old Brazilian leads the team in scoring with three goals thus far this season. He was a non-factor, however, in Orlando City’s two-goal defeat to Toronto last week.
Orlando City has found it difficult to score at home this season. They have scored just one goal in front of their adoring fans and that came in their opening MLS game against New York City FC on March 8. Kaka scored for the Lions in that match with a stunning free-kick in extra time. They have been shut out ever since, going scoreless in their last three games at Citrus Bowl.
The Lions are 0-3-1 at home this season.
Writer’s Prediction
New England pile more misery on Orlando City with a 3-1 win.
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