Orlando City FC vs. Atlanta United Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 7/30/21
Check out the best odds and predictions for this MLS Eastern Conference clash between Orlando City and Atlanta United on Friday, July 30, 2021.
Orlando City vs. Atlanta United
The 2021 MLS season goes on Friday, July 30, with three games on the schedule, including the Eastern Conference showdown at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The Lions host the Five Stripes, as these two foes meet for the second time in 2021, so let’s see what's the best Orlando City vs. Atlanta United betting pick for Friday night. Back in April, Orlando and Atlanta split the prey in a goalless draw at Exploria Stadium.
Orlando City dropped three of its five games in July
The Lions are coming off a heavy 5-0 defeat at New York City this past Sunday. They yielded four second-half goals and were completely outplayed by the Pigeons, who took a whopping 15 shots on target. On the other side, the Lions had just five shots in total (three on target) while keeping the ball in possession for just 39 percent of the time.
Orlando City still holds the third spot in the Eastern Conference despite losing three of its previous five games overall. The Lions have 25 points on their tally (W7, D4, L4) along with a 23:19 goal difference, trailing huge eight points behind the top-seeded New England Revolution.
The 34-year-old winger Nani leads the way for Orlando City with seven goals and four assists in 12 appearances this season. Strikers Benji Michel and Tesho Akindele are also doing a great job, tallying three goals and four assists each, while winger Chris Mueller has scored a couple of goals to go with four dishes in 14 outings.
Atlanta United is winless in ten straight outings
The Five Stripes’ awful form continues, as they are coming off a 1-0 home loss to Columbus last Saturday. Atlanta held the ball in possession for 58 percent of the time and took nine shots more than their opponents (19-10) but still suffered a painful defeat in front of the home fans.
Over their last ten games overall, the Five Stripes have failed to grab a victory, tallying six draws and four defeats in the process. They are sitting at the tenth spot of the Eastern Conference standings at the moment with 14 points (W2, D8, L5) and a 14:18 goal difference.
Midfielder Marcelino Moreno commands the way for the Five Stripes, accounting for three goals and one assist in 15 MLS appearances. Striker Josef Martinez has been a massive disappointment so far this season, scoring just a couple of goals in nine outings, while winger Ezequiel Barco is still without an assist through eight appearances.
The Pick:Orlando City to Win
Orlando City is unbeaten in five straight encounters with Atlanta United, and I think the Lions will record their third win in six matchups with the Five Stripes. The hosts haven’t impressed lately, playing in a patchy form, but the visitors have been a disaster since late June.
Atlanta United has scored only three goals in its previous seven contests while surrendering nine in a return. On the other side, Orlando City has found the back of the net in each but one of its last 14 showings. The Lions will be fired up to make amends for that embarrassing 5-0 defeat at New York City, and I think they have more firepower than the Five Stripes, especially on the offensive end.
Total:Under 3.0 goals
Two of the last three meetings between Orlando City and Atlanta United finished in a goalless draw, while the other one produced five goals in total, as Orlando smashed Atlanta 4-1 at home in October 2020.
Six of the last eight encounters between these two foes went in the under of a 3-goal line, so I would stick with this betting trend. I’ve mentioned Atlanta’s goalscoring woes, while the Five Stripes’ defense hasn’t been that bad. Five of Atlanta’s last seven games saw fewer than three goals on the scoreboard, but eight of Orlando’s previous nine tilts produced at least three goals in total.
