Orlando City vs Austin City FC Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Despite it being the international break for most global leagues, the MLS is still in full swing as we enter game week five and Matthew O’Regan has his Orlando City vs Austin FC prediction, team news, line ups and fixtures preview.

Prediction: Orlando City 2-1 Austin City FC

With neither recording a win as of yet, this cross-conference game is vital in kick-starting stuttering seasons. Eager for more MLS betting previews? Delve into Matthew’s New York Red Bulls vs Inter Miami preview here.

1. Orlando City vs Austin Fc Tip 1: Orlando Over 6.5 Corners
2. Orlando City vs Austin Fc Tip 2: Rodrigo Schlegel Over 1.5 Shots
3. Orlando CIty vs Austin Fc Tip 3: Orlando Over 1.5 goals and Over 0.5 Second Half Goals

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Bettingexpert Football Editor, Sam Ingram, joins host Daniel Jenkins to reacts to the Champions League draw for the quarter finals, before turning attentions to the England Euros ‘To Make the Squad’ betting market. 

The pair also analyses a tightly bunched Championship table ahead of Sam bringing shame to his hometown club with a relegation outright betting opportunity.

Orlando City vs Austin FC Prediction 1: Corner Collectors

America, MLS, Saturday, March 23rd 23:30(UK)

As alluded to in the introduction, neither side has recorded a win in their opening four MLS games. This wouldn’t have surprised those in Austin too much, with their side only winning one of their last 11 games last season. However, it would surprise those in Florida greatly, with the Lions reaching the latter stages of the MLS playoffs last campaign.

Having already lost to both their rivals – Atlanta and Inter Miami, Oscar Pareja has a job on his hands to inspire a side low on confidence. A home tie against fellow struggles Austin FC will be seen as the perfect opportunity.

Austin are playing their second away game of the season after their first one ended in a 0-0 draw at Seattle Sounders despite being dominated for 90 minutes. Josh Wolff sets his side up defensively, preferring to soak up pressure and then attempt to counter.

This has had a negative impact thus far, with Austin’s goal being peppered regularly, leading to them conceding an abundance of corners. Thus far, Los Verdes have conceded 16,9,12 and five corners – with Philadelphia only getting five corners as they were leading after 14 minutes.

Looking at average position maps for the visitors, it’s evident they plan to set up defensively.

Orlando on the other hand, prefers to play attacking, with the majority of their games being played in the opposition half. This is a theme I expect to continue against a rigid Austin side.

So far this season, Orlando has hit 9, 5, 8, and 8 corners, with Oscar Pareja fully utilising the width of his side – in particular from Ivan Angulo and marauding fullback Rafael Santos.

Yet to win, Orlando will attack from the start and look to pen Austin in their own half. If this is the case, expect Orlando to rack up corners yet again.

• Orlando City vs Austin Sc Prediction 1: Orlando City Over 6.5 Corners (TRACKED BETt)
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Orlando City vs Austin Sc Prediction 2: Shots for Schlegel

With corners expected, there’s value in shots for the hosts. With David Brekalo away on international duty for Slovenia, Rodrigo Schlegel is expected to take his place in the side.

The 26-year-old Argentine has only started twice this season in the league. In the 5-0 defeat at Inter Miami, Orlando only got five corners. However, Schlegel managed to get a head-on two to record two shots. He also started the 2-3 defeat to Minnesota, recording two shots yet again.

With Robin Jansson averaging very low numbers for shots per game, Schlegel is the main attacking threat from set pieces.

As I expect Orlando to rack up corners, Schlegel should get the opportunity to record shots. For Minnesota, centre-back Miguel Tapias recorded his only two shots of the season against Austin FC, as did Jacson Ragen of Seattle Sounders.

• Orlando City vs Austin FC Prediction 2: Rodrigo Schlegel Over 1.5 Shots
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Orlando City vs Austin FC Prediction 3: Orlando Turnaround

It has been a mightily disappointing season for Orlando so far. The Lions have already fallen behind their playoff rivals, and they will be desperate to kick-start the season.

Playing mid-week games in the CONCACAF Champions Cup is bound to have been a distraction. After being eliminated by Mexican side Tigres, full attention now turns to the league for Oscar Pareja.

Orlando were mightily disappointing in the defeats to Inter Miami, Atlanta and the draw to Montreal. However, despite a 96th-minute loss in a dramatic match with Minnesota, Orlando showed real signs of promise, accumulating a mammoth xG of 4.11 – despite only scoring twice and losing 3-2. This attacking intent would’ve pleased Pareja greatly and he will be looking to channel this intent in his side’s next encounter.

Austin are also without a win, having drawn three of their four games thus far. They started the season with a 2-1 home defeat to Minnesota, conceding 22 shots and a 3.00 xG and conceding in the 91st minute. Despite Seattle Sounders 23 shots and 1.24 xG, Austin managed to escape Washington unscathed in a 0-0 draw, with Seattle perhaps showing why they are the league’s joint lowest scorers.

After this, Austin conceded yet another goal in stoppage time, with Celio Pomepu finally converting one of St Louis’ 17 shots and 2.00 xG to see Austin draw 2-2. They drew 2-2 just a week later, with Philadelphia recording 18 shots and 2.51 xG.

Austin’s goal is consistently under siege and Josh Wolff’s side have averaged 20 shots and 2.18 xGa per game. Compare this to Austin’s measly 7.25 shots and 0.825 xG per game, it’s fair to say Los Verdes have been on the back foot in all their games.

• Orlando City vs Austin Fc Prediction 3: Orlando Over 1.5 goals and Over 0.5 Second Half Goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Orlando City vs Austin Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, March 20, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Orlando City vs Austin Fc Team News and Possible Lineups: Depleted Orlando

The MLS is a rare entity in terms of being one of the only major leagues to still play during the international break. This has affected Orlando and their astute recruitment, with Oscar Pareja missing as many as five senior players through international call-ups.

Goalkeeper Pedro Galesse and midfielder Wilder Cartagena are away with Peru, forwards Facundo Torres and Duncan McGuire are representing Uruguay and the USA, respectively, while dominant defender David Brekalo flies to Europe to join up with his Slovenian counterparts.

Austin are only without defender Julio Cascante and midfielder Daniel Pereira who are away with Costa Rica and Venezuela respectively. They join injured duo Leo Väisänen and Zan Kolmanic in missing this match.

Orlando City possible starting lineup: Stajduhar, Smith, Jansson, Schlegel, Santos; Ojeda, Lodeiro, Thorhallson, Angulo; Muriel, Mohammed

Austin Fc possible starting lineup: Stuver, Gallagher, Hines-Ike, Hedges, Guilherme; Ring, Valencia; Druissi, Obrian, Rubio, Rigoni

Match Stats: Entertaining affair expected

• The only ever previous meeting saw a 2-2 draw with two Orlando Reds
• Orlando are the joint lowest scorers in the league
• Austin FC have only won one of their last 14 games
• Austin FC have conceded 52 corners in their last six league away games

Orlando Fixtures: Favourable Fixtures to Turn Fortunes Round

• Vs Austin FC (H)
• Vs New York Red Bulls (H)
• Vs DC United (A)
• Vs Montreal (A)
• Vs Toronto H)

Austin FC Fixtures: Tough Spell For Los Verdes

• Vs Orlando (A)
• Vs Dallas (H)
• Vs San Jose(H)
• Vs St Louis(A)
• Vs Houston (A)

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