Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
Orlando City will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to four matches this Sunday when they welcome New York Red Bulls to Florida. The northerners will want to get back into form quickly, after a 3-1 defeat away at Toronto FC on Thursday. Orlando may not have lost in three games, but two of those results have been draws, so they will be keen to pick up maximum points from this home game.
The Red Bulls’ only victory in their last four games was over local rivals New York City, who they beat 2-1 at the Red Bull Arena on July 14. Just 10 days before that victory, the Red Bulls were hammered 4-0 away at Houston, and subsequently drew 3-3 at Atlanta. It will be another tough away trip for them this weekend.
Orlando City vs New York Red Bulls Prediction: City 1-1 Red Bulls
Our prediction for this game is that it will end in a low scoring draw. Neither side has been in absolute top form in recent weeks, and both have had a tendency to draw games over the last month or so. Both teams know how to score goals, it just seems to be something of a psychological block when it comes to actually finishing opposition teams off. We suspect that both teams will find this to be a frustrating game, and neither coach will be happy at how things turn out.
Our recommended tip: Draw, both score
Our featured tip for this game comes from Betway, who are offering odds of 100/30 on the game ending a draw with both teams scoring. This obviously matches our prediction of a 1-1 draw perfectly, but also means that you will have some flexibility when it comes to the precise final scoreline. Neither of these teams has won many times in recent games, but they can both score goals. To us, that makes a low scoring draw look the most likely outcome. This bet offers some decent value in terms of the odds of on offer too, with astute punters likely to profit from backing this market.
Previous matches
Recent meetings between these two sides have been pretty close and tight games, with few goals scored. In March earlier this year, Orlando emerged as 1-0 winners from a clash in New York, with Sacha Kljestan scoring the only goal of the game against his former club. In February, another game in New York ended in a 1-1 draw, highlighting just how closely matched these two sides are right now. The previous meeting to the draw was in Florida in October 2018. It was another tight contest, with Red Bulls winning 1-0.
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Players to watch: Nani & Daniel Royer
Portuguese winger Nani is expected to return to the Orlando line-up this weekend after missing their last game with a bout of food poisoning. The former Manchester United man is his side’s top scorer this season, having netted eight MLS goals in 17 games in 2019. Four of those goals have been game-winning goals. He has also weighed in with seven assists, with one of those creating a game-winning goal.
Austrian midfielder Daniel Royer is a vital part of the Red Bulls’ attacking threat this season. The 29-year-old has scored seven goals in 18 MLS games in 2019, with one of those being a game-winning goal. He has also provided six assists for his team-mates, with four of those assists creating game-winning goals. He has also had 41 shots this season, more than any of his team-mates, with 17 of those efforts being on target.
