Preview: Orlando City vs. Atlanta United - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 25 May 2023, 18:33
Orlando City will look to make it back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they host Atlanta United at the Exploria Stadium on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the visitors are looking to win their first away game in Major League Soccer since March.

Match preview

Orlando snapped a four-game winless streak last weekend, enjoying a 3-1 victory over Inter Miami, courtesy of strikes from Ercan Kara, Martin Ojeda and Rafael Santos.

Oscar Pareja's side have one of the best away records in the entire league, taking 11 points from six games on their travels so far this campaign.

However, the Lions return to their home patch this weekend and they have the worst home record in the Eastern Conference, picking up just eight points from seven games, leaving them seventh in the conference standings.

Nevertheless, Pareja's side come into this clash unbeaten in their last two home games, beating Los Angeles Galaxy on April 30 and sharing the spoils with New York City FC on May 18.

As for the visitors, they shared the spoils with Chicago Fire in what was a feisty affair that resulted in a red card for both sides.

Andrew Gutman gave the visitors the lead in the 29th minute but the sides went into the interval on level terms after Juanjo Purata put the ball in his own net.

Maren Haile-Selassie then gave Chicago the lead shortly after the restart before Giorgos Giakoumakis' brace looked to have secured all three points for Gonzalo Pineda's side. However, Georgios Koutsias rescued a draw for the Fire with an 89th-minute equaliser.

That result leaves Atlanta in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, having amassed 22 points from 14 games, however, the Five Stripes have not won on their travels since their 3-0 victory over Charlotte FC on March 11.

Since that victory at the Bank of America Stadium, Atlanta have picked up just three points from their next six away trips, so they will be desperate to improve that record this weekend.

Orlando City Major League Soccer form:

L

W

L

D

D

W

Orlando City form (all competitions):

Atlanta United Major League Soccer form:

W

L

L

L

W

D

Atlanta United form (all competitions):

Team News

Orlando City also have a notable absentee, with full-back Luca Petrasso still sidelined due to a thigh issue, so Kyle Smith could keep his place in the side.

Ercan Kara has scored three goals in his last three games, so he looks set to retain his place in the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Luiz Araujo will be suspended for the visitors after his red card against Chicago Fire, so Giorgos Giakoumakis could start in his place after his heroics off the bench last time out.

Osvaldo Alonso and Brad Guzan are currently out with long-term knee problems and neither will play any part for Atlanta United in this game.

Orlando City possible starting lineup:

Gallese; Smith, Antonio, Jansson, Santos; Araujo, Cartagena, Angulo, Torres, Gonzalez; Kara

Atlanta United possible starting lineup:

Westberg; Hernandez, Sanchez, Robinson, Gutman; Ibarra, Rossetto; Giakoumakis, Almada, Etienne; Berry

We say: Orlando City 1-1 Atlanta United

Both sides are in similar veins of form so we do not think there will be a great deal to separate the sides on Sunday.

Orlando have been poor at home this season, meanwhile Atlanta are on a six-game winless run on the road, so we think the sides will share the spoils.

How to watch

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For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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