Preview: Orlando City vs. St Louis City - prediction, team news, lineups

While the hosts are sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, St Louis are leading the way in the West with 44 points to their name.

Match preview

After being knocked out in the last 16 of the Leagues Cup by eventual winners Inter Miami, Orlando returned to MLS action with an impressive away performance against Chicago Fire.

Orlando fought back from a goal down to claim a 3-1 victory courtesy of goals from Wilder Cartagena, Ivan Angulo and Facundo Torres.

The Lions have now won four of their last five MLS matches, and impressively, they have scored 12 goals across those four victories.

Having played their last three games away from home, Orlando returns to Exploria Stadium where they are unbeaten in seven MLS matches.

After conceding first in all three of their MLS home defeats this season, the first goal will be crucial if the Lions are to extend their unbeaten home record.

St Louis' inaugural MLS campaign has proven to be a memorable one, with Bradley Carnell's side currently sitting top of the Western Conference with 10 games left to play in the regular season.

After suffering a disappointing group stage exit, St Louis bounced back to the better of Austin FC in a nine-goal thriller last weekend.

Braces from Nicholas Giachinni and Samuel Adeniran as well as strikes from Tim Parker and Toma Astrak guided St Louis to a thrilling 6-3 home win over Austin.

Having racked up 49 goals in 24 games, St Louis are currently the highest scorers in the MLS, showcasing the firepower that Carnell has at his disposal.

While Carnell can call upon an array of attacking talent, he may be concerned by the fact his side have conceded nine goals across their last three competitive matches.

Orlando City Major League Soccer form:

D

W

W

L

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W

Orlando City form (all competitions):

St Louis City Major League Soccer form:

W

W

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St Louis City form (all competitons):

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Team News

Orlando are still without the services of Gaston Gonzalez, who has been sidelined since May with a thigh problem.

After claiming a comfortable 3-1 victory over Chicago, Orlando boss Oscar Pareja could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup for Saturday's contest.

Michael Hallida will feature on the bench once again after returning from a spell in the treatment room to make a late substitute appearance last weekend.

As for the visitors, Jonathan Klauss remains sidelined as he continues to recover from an injury that has kept him out of action since April.

After coming off the bench to net a brace against Austin, Adeniran could be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup.

Having scored 10 goals in 24 MLS games this season, Gioacchini will look to add to his impressive tally in Saturday's away meeting.

Orlando City possible starting lineup:

Gallese; Thorhallsson, Schlegel, Jansson, Santos; Araujo, Cartagena; Torres, Pereyra, Angulo; McGuire

St Louis City possible starting lineup:

Burki; Watts, Yaro, Parker, Hlebert; Lowen, Blom, Stroud, Jackson; Gioacchini, Adeniran

We say: Orlando City 2-2 St Louis City

Games involving St Louis tend to be exciting affairs, and we think the first-ever meeting between Orlando and the Western Conference leaders will produce an enthralling contest, with both teams having to settle for a share of the spoils.

How to watch

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