Orlando City vs New York City FC – Match Preview

Major League Soccer’s Round 1 fixtures are underway. Orlando City is set to host New York City FC at the vibrant Inter&Co Stadium on Friday, July 20th. The game will start at 23:30 GMT. This early-season match is crucial for both teams. Orlando City, currently 15th with 33 points, is looking to climb the standings. New York City FC, in 10th place with a four-point lead, aims to strengthen their position. A win could significantly boost morale and help secure a better spot on the league table.

Orlando City – Form

Orlando City has shown impressive form recently. Their latest match on July 18, 2024, against Nashville SC, ended in a 3:0 victory. This win was unexpected by many. Before this, they claimed a 3:1 win over New England Revolution. This victory ended the Revolution’s unbeaten home streak against them. In their last home game, they overwhelmed DC United with a 5:0 win. Facundo Torres and Martin Ojeda were among the goal scorers, highlighting Orlando City’s strong attack.

New York City FC – Form

New York City FC has had varied recent performances. Their latest game on July 17 against Atlanta United ended in a 2-2 draw. Monsef Bakrar and Talles Magno scored for the team. Before this, they had a goalless draw with Chicago Fire FC on July 14. This result was unexpected, considering Chicago’s recent form. On July 7, they faced a 2-1 defeat against Austin FC. These results align with bookmakers’ expectations, indicating a stable period for the club.

Orlando City – New York City FC – Head to Head

The last match between these two teams was on June 28, 2024. New York City FC won 4:2. In their past 10 meetings, Orlando City has won 3 times, while New York City FC has 4 victories. This shows a closely contested rivalry. In the last five matches, both teams scored on 3 occasions. Orlando City has been strong at home, not losing 11 of their last 13 home games against New York City FC. The goal count has been modest, with under 3.5 goals in their last 3 home games. New York City FC has won 3 of their last 4 matches against Orlando, often scoring over 1.5 goals in these victories.

Orlando City – New York City FC – Standings

The match at Inter&Co Stadium is a pivotal opener for both teams. After 24 matches, Orlando City is 15th with 33 points. New York City FC is 10th, holding a 4-point lead. Orlando City aims to narrow this gap. They have scored 38 goals but allowed 37, showing a need for defensive improvements. New York City FC has a better defensive record, conceding 29 goals. This sets the stage for a competitive match where both teams will seek a strong start to the season.

Orlando City vs New York City FC – Top scorers

Orlando City’s attack is led by Facundo Torres, with 8 goals. Duncan McGuire follows closely with 7 goals. Luis Muriel, Ivan Angulo, and Martin Ojeda have each added 3 goals. This shows the team’s balanced offensive threat. New York City FC counters with Santiago Rodriguez and Alonso Martinez, each with 8 goals. Hannes Wolf has contributed 4 goals, while Agustin Ojeda and Monsef Bakrar have 3 goals each. This indicates a strong challenge for Orlando’s defense.

Orlando City vs New York City FC – Full-Time Betting

Bookmakers favor Orlando City with odds of 2.00. This reflects their strong recent form and their success in not losing 8 of the last 10 away matches. New York City FC, despite being higher ranked, has not won in their last 5 away matches. The absence of Hannes Wolf due to injury could impact their performance. For those seeking higher rewards, the “halftime-fulltime” option offers odds of 2.625 for Orlando City. The “draw-no-bet” market provides a safer option at 1.50 for Orlando City. The “double-chance” market at 1.8 could appeal to those covering both outcomes.

Orlando City vs New York City FC – Over/Under Betting

The “Over 2.5” goals odds are at 1.667, indicating an expectation of a high-scoring game. The teams have averaged 3.1 goals per game in their last 10 encounters. Orlando’s attack and New York City FC’s defensive record suggest the “Over 2.5” bet at 1.667 could offer value. The “Under 2.5” option at 2.15 might appeal to those expecting a more tactical game.

Orlando City vs New York City FC – BTTS Betting

The “Both Teams to Score” odds are 1.615 for ‘Yes’ and 2.20 for ‘No’. The history between the teams and their recent performances support the likelihood of both scoring. Thus, a ‘BTTS: Yes’ bet at 1.615 seems promising.

Orlando City vs New York City FC – Prediction