Orlando City SC will have revenge on its mind when they host New York City FC on Thursday night. Orlando City has had a season to forget, and NYCFC soundly thumped them in the Big Apple back in early June. The Lions were only able to muster two shots on goal the entire match, while NYCFC was able to find the back of the net three times in a 3-0 win for NYCFC. The loss sent Orlando City further down the table, and it helped solidify a spot in the top half of the table for the hosts.
Don't miss the Major League Soccer action from Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Florida at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 26, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN.
MLS Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Orlando City SC +190
New York City FC +132
Draw +266
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
New York City FC is currently in second place in the Eastern Conference, and they are looking to continue to rise up the table. The club is currently four points back of Atlanta United, but they have two games in hand on the leaders. NYCFC is on a bit of a hot streak, with a 6-2-2 record in their last 10 matches. They have won three matches in a row, and they have been able to keep clean sheets in all three of those affairs. Interestingly enough, NYCFC have notched six goals in those three games and no goal was scored before the 60th minute.
However, NYCFC has been a much different team at home than they have been on the road. NYCFC is a sterling 10-0-1 in Yankee Stadium, yet the club is 2-4-3 away from home. They have not been able to pick up a road win since March, and that’s a bit of a concern.
Orlando City has one of the worst defenses in the MLS. The Lions have allowed 45 goals in 20 matches, and that has been the main reason why the club is currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Fortunately, the East has not been great this season, so Orlando City is just six points outside of the playoff picture even with their struggles.
Things have not gone well for Orlando City recently. Since mid-May, the club has completely fallen off the pace with 10 losses in their last 11 matches. The good news is they were able to get a win in their last home tilt, besting Toronto FC 2-1.
Key Absences
Orlando City’s struggles in the back line continue to be magnified due to injury. Defenders Lamine Sane and Jonathan Spector have been out with injuries, and they will miss this match as well. That will hurt against a team that can score like NYCFC.
As for the visitors, the club will not have midfielder Yangel Herrera or defender Cedric Hountondji for this match. Herrera is out for the season with an ankle injury, while Hountondji is nursing a hamstring problem. The club is more optimistic that about their injured forwards, and the hope is that two of the three will be able to suit up. David Villa has been dealing with a right knee issue and only recently returned to training, and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Jo Inge Berget are both questionable for this match.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
The Lions may be without Justin Meram for this match too. Meram was one of the team’s big offseason acquisitions, but the club looks ready to move on. He is rumored to move to either Cincinnati or Columbus, and there is a chance that he gets traded before this match gets underway.
Keep an eye on the injury report, and if Villa doesn’t play, back Orlando City. It’s not often that you get home teams at this price, and the Lions should be ready despite some recent struggles.
Major League Soccer Odds: Orlando City SC 2, New York City FC 1
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