Orlando FC vs. Inter Miami FC Prediction, Preview and Odds - 8/4/21
Orlando City FC vs. Inter Miami FC
Orlando is in second place in the Eastern Conference and play host to Miami, who is in the basement of the conference.
Miami is in the basement of the East, and they have the fewest points in the MLS. However, the team is coming off a win and they are unbeaten in their last two matches. Inter has a goal differential of -12 and they have only scored 12 goals in 14 matches.
Orlando bounced back after a bad loss with a solid win in their last match. The club only has one loss in their last four matches and they are second in the East eight points back of New England. City has a goal differential of +5 and they have scored the third-most points in the Eastern Conference.
These teams met in late June in Miami where City beat Inter 2-1.
Defense Comes Around
After getting throttled 5-0 at the hands of New England, Miami’s defense has come around in their last two matches where they only allowed one goal in each. In their last match they were at home and beat Montreal 2-1 where Gonzalo Higuain scored both goals. While Inter lost the time of possession battle (56%-44%) they had more shots (12-11) and more shots on target (4-2). Miami’s last three matches have been at home and of their three wins on the season two of them have come on the road.
Gonzalo Higuaín leads Inter with seven goals while no other player has more than two. Gregore and Federico Higuaín have combined for five assists. DF Leandro Gonzalez Pirez is out for the Orlando match due to suspension and MF Rodolfo Gilbert Pizarro Thomas is out due to international duty. In the 2-1 loss to Orlando in late June, Inter played a pretty solid match but gave up six shots on target and could not hold a 1-0 lead they took in the 67th minute when Gonzalo Higuaín scored the lone goal.
Roaring Back
Orlando was crushed 5-0 facing NY City FC but roared back in their last match with a 3-2 win over Atlanta. The game was tied at 2-2 late but Nani scored the game-winner. Kyle Smith and Silvester van der Water also scored in the win where the time of possession was pretty even, but City had many more shots (15-6) and many more shots on target (9-3). Orlando has scored multiple goals in two of their last three matches and on the season, they only have one home loss.
Nani leads Orlando with eight goals and he has two goals and an assist over his last three matches. Benji Michel and Tesho Akindele have scored three goals apiece and Nanio also leads the club with five assists. GK Pedro Gallese, FW Alexandre Pato, and the three midfielders of Junior Urso, Jhegson Méndez, and Wilfredo Rivera are all listed as questionable for this match.
Pick: Orlando City FC -145
Miami had lost five straight matches before going unbeaten in their last two. They have played solid defense in their last two matches only allowing one goal in each. This is their first match on the road after three straight at home but two of their three wins on the season have come away from South Beach. Orlando is coming off a big late win in their last match after getting blown out in their previous match. They have a solid attack and put up two goals on Miami in beating them on the road in late June. They have more talent up front and their defense will do a good job containing Gonzalo Higuaín. I see a close match just like the first time these teams played this season and just like that match Orlando will get the win in this one.
Total: Over 2.5 goals
Orlando did have a solid win in their last match, but they allowed two goals to an Atlanta team that has scored the second-fewest goals in the East. They have given up seven goals in their last two matches and while Miami has scored the fewest goals in the East they are playing with confidence after going unbeaten in their last two matches. I see Orlando playing a solid defensive match, but they will not keep a clean sheet. City scored three goals in their last match, and they have a solid attack. Just like the first meeting with Miami, they will put up multiple goals and because they will not shut out Miami the Over is the pick in this match.
