Orlando City SC at Inter Miami FC Soccer Betting Preview
Expansion side Inter Miami FC are still looking for their first-ever MLS win and have been labeled the best 0-5 expansion team in league history. This weekend they return to action hosting their Florida rivals Orlando City SC who are coming off a tremendous underdog run to the MLS is Back Tournament final before losing to Portland Timbers. Saturday’s game kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and will be the first ever MLS game at the brand new 18,000 seat Fort Lauderdale Stadium, but fans will not be allowed.
These teams met in the Group A and tournament opener on July 8 at the Wide World of Sports complex. Orlando City won 2-1 as Christopher Mueller tied the game in the 70th minute and Nani scored the game winner in the seventh minute of added time. Juan Agudelo scored the opener for Inter Miami in the 47th minute but they weren’t able to hold on.
Orlando City SC Outlook: Build Off Success
Orlando City surprised everyone when they won Group A and progressed all the way through the knockout round to the finals of the MLS is Back Tournament. They are still an underdog this week but they won’t be able to surprise teams anymore after the successful pairing of Mueller and Nani who combined for six goals in those seven games.
In grabbing seven points in the group stage, Orlando resumes regular season play tied for third place in the Eastern Conference with Philadelphia Union. Goalie Pedro Gallese made 21 saves in the tournament and the defense didn’t allow more than one goal in the tournament until the championship game against Portland.
Mueller has four regular-season goals this year to lead the way while Nani has one goal and two assists. Nani missed the two March games through suspension and forward Dom Dwyer was injured during the Orlando tournament. The Lions have been quiet in the transfer window, just adding 17-year-old homegrown talent Michael Halliday last month
Inter Miami FC Outlook: Be Aggressive
Inter Miami got their feet wet in the MLS is Back Tournament but they ended group play with zero points and three losses. They have been outscored 8-3 in their five losses and sit in last place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind NYCFC. The Herons were competitive in Orlando with all three losses coming by one goal.
Rodolfo Pizarro has two of Miami’s three goals this season while Agudelo scored the other. Lewis Morgan, Victor Ulloa and Matias Pellegrini have the three Herons assists. Keeper Luis Robles has started all five games and allowed eight goals while making 13 saves.
Miami signed midfielder Blaise Matuidi on August 13 in the TAM slot and the former Juventus star became the only current World Cup winner in MLS after starting four of France’s games in Russia in 2018. Matuidi is still working on acquiring his visa and passing the MLS quarantine rules and won’t play Saturday. Miami will however have Argentine center back Leandro Gonzalez Pirez for his team debut.
Orlando City SC at Inter Miami FC Betting Lines by Scoresandstats
Inter Miami FC to win: +129
Orlando City to win: +192
Draw: +242
Over/Under: 2.5 goals (O -113, U -116)
The way Orlando City played in the tournament it’s a surprise to see them as an underdog especially against Inter Miami. The Heron’s have reinforcements coming to David Beckham’s side but they won’t be fully integrated to the side by Saturday. Look for Orlando City to pick up another three points and move up the standings while keeping Inter Miami winless.
Head to payperhead247.com and bet Orlando City SC to win (+192)