Preview: Orlando City vs. Columbus Crew - prediction, team news, lineups

Having returned to winning ways last time out, Columbus Crew travel to the Exploria Stadium on Sunday to face Orlando City looking to make it back-to-back victories.

On the other hand, the home side will be aiming to extend their streak of MLS games without a defeat which currently stands at six games.

Match preview

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Orlando City were involved in a share of the spoils for the fourth time in five league games following a goalless draw versus Inter Miami on Saturday.

Despite dominating for the majority of the contest, Oscar Pareja's men were unable to find a breakthrough majorly due to their wastefulness in front of goal.

The Lions missed out on an opportunity to close the gap on league leaders New England Revolution and are currently 14 points off the top of the standings, albeit having played two fewer games.

Sunday's hosts will be confident of another positive result in a fixture which they have won each of the last four editions by a combined score of 7-2.

No team in the entire division has conceded fewer goals on home turf than the Florida-based club, who have only been breached seven times in 11 outings.

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Columbus Crew ended a run of six consecutive losses with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Cincinnati at the Historic Crew Stadium on Friday.

Caleb Porter's men took the lead in the final minute of the first half through Lucas Zelarayan but soon found themselves behind courtesy of goals from Ronald Matarrita and Isaac Atanga, before Miguel Berry came off the bench to score two times in the final knockings.

As a result, the Crew are now just three points adrift of the last playoff spot and things are beginning to look up for them following a difficult couple of weeks.

With only one-third of their 27 points coming on the road, Sunday's visitors must improve their form away from home if they are to reach the postseason for the second season in a row.

Team News

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Oriol Rosell and Jhegson Mendez are still nursing leg injuries and will be unavailable for the hosts, who will also be without Alexandre Pato due to a damaged knee.

Nani has been involved in half of his Orlando City's 30 goals this term, and the Portuguese winger is one to keep an eye on this weekend.

Gyasi Zardes and Milton Valenzuela are down with thigh injuries, while the American duo of Perry Kitchen and Aidan Morris are yet to recover from knee problems.

Following his brace off the bench last time out, Miguel Berry is expected to be rewarded with a place in the starting XI with Bradley Wright-Phillips making way.

Long-term absentees Josh Williams and Artur are still a long way off returning to action as they continue to battle with hernia and heel injuries respectively.

Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Moutinho, Jansson, Carlos, Ruan; Aguilera, Michel, Mueller, Urso, Van der Water; Akindele

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Room; Santos, Wormgoor, Mensah, Afful; Fraser, Nagbe, Zelarayan; Junior, Diaz, Berry

We say: Orlando City 2-1 Columbus Crew

The visitors, buoyed by last week's victory, will be confident of picking up all three points this weekend. However, they will be going up against a very capable team on home turf, and we are backing Orlando City to edge their opponents by a narrow margin.