Preview: New England Revolution vs. Orlando City - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts will enter the contest off the back of a 2-1 success over Sporting Kansas City, while Orlando suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Dallas in their last fixture at the end of May.

Match preview

New England have won five, drawn four and lost five of their 14 MLS fixtures this season, which has brought them 19 points, only enough for eighth position in the table heading into the next set of matches.

Bruce Arena's side are unbeaten in the MLS since the end of April, though, winning three and drawing three of their last six matches during a positive run of form.

Revolution were top of the Eastern Conference last season, claiming 73 points from their 34 matches, finishing 19 points ahead of second-place Philadelphia Union.

Arena's team were eliminated in the conference semi-finals, though, losing to New York City FC in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw between the two sides.

The Revs have struggled for consistency in front of their own supporters this season, winning three, drawing two and losing two of their seven matches to collect 11 points.

Orlando, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 home defeat to Dallas at the end of May, which followed a four-game unbeaten run for the Florida outfit.

Oscar Pareja's side have picked up 21 points from their opening 14 league games of the campaign, which has left them in fifth position in the table, two points clear of New England.

Orlando are only five points behind leaders New York City FC, and they will play another three league games before the end of the month, taking on New England, Houston Dynamo and Cincinnati.

The Lions, who finished sixth in the Eastern Conference last season, were founded in 2013, but they have only been competing in the MLS for the last seven years.

Orlando have faced New England on 15 previous occasions and have recorded just three victories, with their last league success over Revolution coming back in September 2017.

New England Revolution Major League Soccer form:

New England Revolution form (all competitions):

Orlando City Major League Soccer form:

Orlando City form (all competitions):

Team News

New England will be missing Henry Kessler due to a leg injury, but the home side are otherwise in good shape heading into Wednesday evening's contest.

Omar Gonzalez could be replaced in the middle of the defence by Jonathan Bell, but it could otherwise be the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Sporting Kansas City.

Gustavo Bou has found the back of the net on two occasions this season and should again lead the line, with Carles Gil playing in the number 10 position for the home side.

As for Orlando, Antonio Carlos remains unavailable for selection due to a hamstring problem, while a leg issue is expected to keep Silvester van der Water on the sidelines.

Alexandre Pato is again expected to start on the bench for the visitors, with Ercan Kara, who has four goals to his name this term, leading the line.

Junior Urso should also retain his spot in a wide area, with Facundo Torres and Tesho Akindele expected to be among the substitutes on Wednesday night.

New England Revolution possible starting lineup:

Petrovic; Bye, Farrell, Bell, Jones; Kaptoum, Polster; McNamara, Gil, Borrero; Bou

Orlando City possible starting lineup:

Gallesse; Ruan, Smith, Jansson, Moutinho; Mendez, Perea; Urso, Pereyra, Mulraney; Kara

We say: New England Revolution 2-1 Orlando City

New England will be determined to extend their unbeaten run in the MLS, and we are predicting a narrow success for the home side here. Orlando are certainly capable of securing a positive result, but a tight game could end with Revolution claiming a narrow success.

Previews by email