Orlando City vs Austin Prediction & Match Preview

• Orlando City go into this off the back of four losses and a draw in the last five outings across competitions.
• Austin are unbeaten in three straight MLS affairs.
• The Lions boast the league’s joint-worst defensive record with ten goals conceded in four opening matches.

Both Orlando City and Austin will search for their first wins in the 2024 MLS campaign this weekend. They take on each other in a cross-conference showdown on Saturday evening at Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

The hosts are in a very difficult situation going into this tie. They lost four and drew one of the previous five matches across competitions. The run includes a painful 2-4 defeat at the hands of Tigres UANL on Mexican soil in the reverse game of the CONCACAF Champions League last-16 round. To make things worse, Oscar Pareja will be without six important first-team regulars for this game due to international duty.

Austin are also winless after four MLS affairs this season. Nevertheless, they have managed three subsequent draws going into this tie. Josh Wolff’s men got lucky to take a point from the last weekend’s home clash with Philadelphia Union. The Lions have problems with the lack of defensive meticulousness at the start of the year. They shipped two or more goals in three of four league outings so far.

Recent Meetings

This will only be the second head-to-head encounter between Orlando City and Austin.

They shared spoils in a 2-2 stalemate in the first match played in May 2022 in Texas.

Orlando City vs Austin FC Prediction

Neither Orlando City nor Austin have been capable of keeping things quiet at the back at the beginning of the season. Orlando City boast the joint-worst defensive record in the whole league with ten goals conceded in four outings. They did offer a somewhat better defensive showing last weekend despite a 0-2 defeat at Atlanta United. Nonetheless, the Lions will be without first-choice centre-back David Brekalo and first goalkeeper Pedro Gallesse which should make their back line even weaker. This is why our main pick will be Over 2.5 goals at the 1.66 odds.

Austin are in for another struggling campaign in the MLS judging by the first several outings. However, they are unbeaten in three straight affairs. Their rivals have not been pulling up any trees at the start of the season either. Looking at the odds, the value is with Austin FC to win or draw double chance pick at the 2.10 price-tag.

Steffen Schmidt- March 21, 2024

Orlando vs Austin FC Betting Tips

Over 2.5 goals

OK

1.68 Odds

Austin to win or draw

OK

2.10 Odds

Correct Score: Draw 2-2

OK

13.00 Odds