Orlando City vs Minnesota United
USA – MLS
Date: Sunday, 11 March 2018
Kick-Off at 00:30 UK
Venue: Orlando City Stadium (Orlando).
Neither Orlando City nor Minnesota United had reasons to be happy with their performances in the previous term of the competition since they finished the regular season way off the playoffs contest. They’ve both opened the new campaign in a poor fashion as well.
The hosts have only drawn 1-1 at home to DC United, while the Loons showed plenty of holes at the back shipping three goals in the away loss at SJ Earthquakes in the opening round. Orlando were lucky to save a point thanks to a late 93rd-minute equalizer from the Brazilian substitute Stefano who has thus marked his debut with a goal.
This goal might earn Stefano a place in the starting lineup here since neither Justin Meram nor Christopher Mueller met the expectations. Jason Kreis has lost his key man from the last year Cyle Larin who signed for Turkish Besiktas in between two seasons.
Minnesota did not change their last year’s squad much and it can prove out to be a decent call. The team led by Adrian Heath did look pretty dangerous in the final third away at ‘Quakes. It was midfielder Kevin Molino who has notched a brace, but both Christian Ramirez and Abu Danladi offered decent performances up front as well.
Orlando City vs Minnesota United: Head-to-head
The two sides have only played a single H2H match in the top flight of the US football and Minnesota came on top 1-0 back in May last year.
Prior to this encounter, Orlando have won two back in 2010 when the teams locked horns in the USSF Division 2.
Orlando City vs Minnesota United: Prediction
Minnesota have had the league’s weakest defensive line in the previous round and they’ve allowed league high 44 goals in 17 matches on the road last year.
Heath does not seem to be capable of shifting team’s fortunes around in this segment as the team shipped three away at San Jose last weekend, and we could be in for a high-scoring contest in Saturday’s clash at Orlando City Stadium.
Nonetheless, we don’t see the Lions as favourites either given that they’ve shown a poor performance in the opening round with DC United. The draw is the alternative option at the sky-high 3.80 odds.
Orlando City vs Minnesota United: Bet Tips
BTTS @ 1.66
Draw @ 3.80
