Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Two sides who are leading the chase to book a play-off ticket this season, Columbus will welcome Orlando to Ohio in the early hours of Saturday.
Columbus Crew
Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to winning ways last weekend as they clinched a 2-1 victory at home against DC United, Columbus knowing that they can move within touching distance of top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Despite falling to a 3-0 drumming at the hands of Nashville on July 17th, that is the only loss that Wilfried Nancy’s men have suffered from their previous seven appearances. Signing off June with three consecutive MLS victories, Columbus will also be excited by their continued dominance on home soil. Including a 3-1 win against Atlanta last month, the Ohio-based outfit have won their previous four straight matchups in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 8-3.
Columbus Crew Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance since the start of June, former New York City defender Malte Amundsen remains on the sidelines and will not feature here.
Coming off the bench and bagging a late winner against DC United last weekend, Finland international Lassi Lappalainen could be handed a full recall on Saturday. However, notching 11 MLS strikes so far this season, ex-Los Angeles ace Diego Rossi will spearhead Nancy’s attack.
Orlando City
As for the visitors, managing to claim a much-welcomed boost last weekend as they snatched a 2-1 victory away at New England, Orlando will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. Drawing a line under their four-match winless rut, Oscar Pareja’s side know that stability is key going forward. Getting July underway with consecutive stalemates against Charlotte and Montreal, Saturday’s guests are also searching for some essential defensive steel. Signing off June with a 2-1 loss at home against Cincinnati, Orlando have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous nine MLS appearances – a run that stems back to May 25th. It should also be noted, Pareja’s camp fell to a pulsating 4-3 loss when they travelled to Ohio last season.
Orlando City Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Orlando will once again be without the quartet of Yutaro Tsukada, Duncan McGuire, Wilder Cartagena and French midfielder Joran Gerbet this weekend.
Bagging both goals away at New England last weekend and now registering 22 direct goal contributions in his 24 MLS appearances this season, ex-Huracan starlet Martin Ojeda will play a leading role in the final third. Completing a summer switch from Palmeiras, Eduardo Atuesta will start in the middle of the park.
Columbus Crew vs Orlando City Key Factors to Consider
- When Columbus welcomed Orlando to Ohio last season, Saturday hosts collected an action-packed 4-3 victory.
- Columbus have won their previous four consecutive MLS appearances on home soil by an aggregate score of 8-3.
- Orlando have registered 10 points from their previous four MLS appearances outside of Florida.
- Seven of Columbus’ last eight matchups in Ohio have finished with both teams finding the net.
- Former Huracan youngster Martin Ojeda has recorded 22 direct goal contributions in his 24 MLS appearances this season.
Conclusion
Watching Columbus clinch a thrilling 4-3 victory when they welcomed Orlando to Ohio last season, neutrals will be hoping for another thriller in the early hours of Saturday. Two camps who are leading the chase to claim a play-off ticket this season, chances could come thick and fast in Ohio. Alongside Columbus seeing seven of their previous eight home fixtures finish with both teams finding the net, Saturday’s opponents do have a habit of producing fireworks when they meet. With four of their last five MLS showdowns finishing with both teams getting on the scoresheet, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
