Preview: Orlando City vs. Columbus Crew - prediction, team news, lineups

Both clubs look certain to qualify for the quarter-finals of the playoffs directly, with the two currently inside the top five of the Eastern Conference.

Match preview

After a very inconsistent start, alternating between losses and wins in their first seven games of the season, Orlando are comfortably set for a playoff adventure.

Their opening 12 MLS matches this season produced just four wins, but a quite drastic turnaround means they are now shoo-ins for the playoffs.

Showing great form since the mid-season break and Leagues Cup duty has played a big part too.

The four games since have yielded 10 points, including wins away to Chicago Fire and runaway leaders Cincinnati.

With seven games of the regular season remaining, despite being 10 points from the top, Orlando are 12 clear of eighth, so only an almighty collapse would put their playoff spot in jeopardy.

Columbus enter the weekend just two points further back, so they can also start planning for a playoff odyssey later on in the autumn.

Wilfried Nancy's side are the top scorers in the Eastern Conference with only Western leaders St Louis City netting more across the entirety of MLS.

Being down in fifth 12 points adrift of Cincinnati proves where their issue lie though, and subpar defensive form saw them tail off sharply before the mid-season break.

Columbus have returned in style though, winning three of their four since the break, scoring nine goals in the process.

A thumping 3-0 win over leaders Cincinnati and a 4-2 success at Montreal have breathed huge confidence back into the side, who will look to continue their ascent up the standings.

Orlando City Major League Soccer form:

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Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:

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Team News

An injury time red card for Orlando's Wilder Cartagena in their win over Cincinnati means the midfielder is banned for this one.

Cartagena was on international duty with Peru alongside teammate Pedro Gallesse though, so his match fitness should remain high despite the week off.

Their match winner from the Cincinnati game Facundo Torres was also away in CONMEBOL qualifying, representing Uruguay, and got 21 minutes in their defeat at Ecuador on Tuesday night.

The hosts will be without Gaston Gonzalez, Antonio Carlos and Favian Loyola for the next few weeks at least though.

Columbus' only injury concern regards William Sands, who is currently absent with a knee issue.

New signing Diego Rossi was snubbed by Uruguay last week so has remained fresh without any travelling or additional game time in his legs.

Rossi has had a positive start to life at the club, linking up nicely with Cucho Hernandez, who netted a hat-trick in the win over Montreal recently.

The form by the pair has been paramount as the club looks to minimise the damage caused by losing talisman Lucas Zelarayan to the Saudi Pro League.

Orlando City possible starting lineup:

Gallesse; Thorhallsson, Schiegel, Jansson, Rafael Santos; Felipe Martins, Araujo, Pereyra; Torres, McGuire, Angulo

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:

Schulte; Steven Moreira, Camacho, Amundsen; Gressel, Nagbe, Morris, Yeboah; Ramirez, Cucho, Rossi

We say: Orlando City 2-1 Columbus Crew

Strong home form makes Orlando the favourites for this one, as they are unbeaten in nine at the Exploria Stadium.

Five wins in a row here against Columbus is another positive omen, but they have all been by one-goal margins, so another close encounter could be in store between two in-form sides.

How to watch

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