MLS clubs across the country are in very tough stretches of their schedule right now. Many are playing international friendly matches to try to earn some extra revenue for the club, and most of the teams have lost at least one, if not more key players to international duties in the Gold Cup. The show must go on though, and Orlando City (6-6-7, 24 Points) is going to find that out in a very tough match upcoming against the New York Red Bulls (7-5-6, 26 Points).
ODDS ANALYSIS
Orlando City is lined at just a pick 'em in this game even though it is the home side and is in relatively good form at the moment. The Lions are the slender favorites at +150 on the moneyline, though this remains a close run event.
The Red Bulls can be had at +175 to win this match, while the draw comes in at +220.
The total is somewhat high, which shouldn't be surprising considering how hot this OCSC offense has been. Asking for a total of three goals shouldn't be too much, though the number to beat is 2.5 (over -125).
KEY INJURIES
Orlando City has caught a bit of a break by getting young Cyle Larin's Canadian team getting knocked out of the Gold Cup in just three matches. We suspect that Larin will be back with the team for Saturday's crucial affair.
Luke Boden is suspended for this match though, and Brek Shea remains out injured, which is why the team made a trade for Corey Ashe from the Houston Dynamo.
New York's problems are all at the back at the moment. Chris Duvall and Ronald Zubar are both out injured, while Roy Miller and Kemar Lawrence are both still playing in the Gold Cup.
Just as Larin should be back on Saturday for the Lions, his fellow Canadian, Karl Ouimette should be back in the lineup for the Red Bulls, too.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I guarantee we'll be in a better physical and mental frame of mind than on Saturday. They're in a little bit of a good run of form. It's going to be tough for us, but it's a really important game because obviously, they're in and around us as well in the playoffs. So important game for us." – Orlando City manager Adrian Heath on the importance of this fixture against the Red Bulls
RECENT FORM
Last Saturday's 2-0 loss to FC Dallas wasn't what Heath expected from his men in a match in which it was favored. The good news is that the Lions bounced back as big underdogs against English Premier League side West Brom on Wednesday night, but that fixture could end up doing more harm than good with the quick turnaround from then until Saturday's match.
The Red Bulls won for the third time in four matches last week against New England in a fixture where Bradley Wright-Phillips scored twice and had five goes at goal over the course of his 84 minutes on the pitch. New York hasn't been good on the road though, as it has only won one game away from home since March 28, that being a game at New York City FC.
TALKING TOTALS
The Lions have played five straight under games dating back to June 14, though each of their last three have featured exactly two goals. They have only been shut out twice since the end of April, though one of those clean sheets came against FC Dallas last week.
Three straight Red Bulls matches have gone past the total. They have seen 12 goals hit the board in their last three games combined, and they are outscoring their foes 8-4 in that run.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Lions should run roughshod in this game over the New York defense, but we question whether it is really going to be enough to take all three points.
We think that the Red Bulls, who have been scoring at will at times of late, can put at least one, if not two of the board. We're a little more confident in the over than anything else, though the price on the draw has to be considered quite tempting as well.
Orlando City 2, New York 2
The MLS lines for this contest were first released by BookMaker Sportsbook with Orlando City lined as a +150 moneyline favorite and a total of 2.5 (over -125). Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, spreads and totals. Live betting is open during every step of this match!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The fixture between Orlando City and the New York Red Bulls is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL. The match will be televised live on MLS Live.
