Fresh off an eight-goal thriller in midweek, the New England Revolution host Orlando City at Gillette Stadium in Saturday's MLS gameweek 24 action.

The Revs' 5-3 defeat to their New York opponents extended their winless run to seven, and Caleb Porter’s side must break a disappointing four-game winless run in the league against this weekend's visitors to revive fading playoff hopes.

Match preview

When New England led 2-0 after 30 minutes against the Red Bulls on Wednesday and carried that advantage into the interval, fans of the Boston-based club might have looked forward to their side snapping a winless run.

Having last failed to win since May 31's 3-0 triumph against Montreal, the Revs appeared primed to break their unwanted six-match streak; however, the New York side's second-half comeback, which featured five consecutive goals before New England's late consolation, extended the Revolution’s poor results.

Following that defeat, Caleb Porter’s men are 11th in the Eastern Conference on 25 points, seven points behind Charlotte FC in ninth — this secures a spot in the wild-card round — and nine points behind seventh-placed New York City FC.

After last year's failure to reach the post-season playoffs, the Revs are facing the same prospect and need a quick turnaround in the next 12 rounds of the regular season to change their fortunes.

Entering this weekend with that in mind, fans will hope for a different outcome, as their side have won just two home games in nine attempts and lost three of the previous five on their turf.

Those numbers will not be lost on sixth-placed Orlando, who have won three of the last four MLS matches against the Revs, scoring three goals in those victories.

Even the one that ended in a draw was exciting, with both sides finishing 3-3 in Florida in May, and another goal-filled game is likely.

Victory, however, is not guaranteed for the away team, as Oscar Pareja’s side have also seen a dip in form, with no wins in their last four matches, after losing 2-1 to New York City and FC Cincinnati, sandwiching draws with Montreal and Charlotte.

Given the Lions’ recent habit of conceding goals — they have let in at least two in four of their last five MLS games — and since their mid-May clean sheet against the Colorado Rapids, the sixth-placed team in the Eastern Conference may need to outscore their hosts to secure the win. 

That notion is supported by Orlando having kept opponents out just once in the last eight league fixtures, while conceding at least two goals six times during that period.

While a win cannot push Pareja’s team higher than fifth in the standings, since they currently have 34 points, they are pressured by New York City (34), the New York Red Bulls (33) and Charlotte (32), making a positive result this weekend more crucial.

New England Revolution MLS form:

New England Revolution form (all competitions):

Orlando City MLS form:

Orlando City form (all competitions):

Team News

After missing the loss in New York due to injury, Mamadou Fofana is expected to return at centre-back for the Revs for his 21st league start.

Brayan Ceballos, who has gone off injured in consecutive games, will be assessed; however, Ignatius Ganago is not expected to return for the home side.

Fresh from ending a seven-game drought with a brace against the Red Bulls, Leonardo Campana aims to score in consecutive games for New England.

Despite Campana's recent brace, the responsibility for significant contributions rests on eight-goal Carles Gil, who has either scored or assisted a teammate in four of his last six appearances.

Having suffered no apparent injuries in their midweek loss to New York City, the Lions could be without Joran Gerbet, Robin Jansson, Wilder Cartagana, Duncan McGuire and Yutaro Tsukada.

Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic, both of whom have scored 10 goals each, aim to increase their tallies; Ojeda, who presents a dual threat, also has seven assists, and the Argentine could add to that rising total this weekend.

The threat of Eduard Atuesta cannot be overlooked, as the midfielder, who notably set up three goals in Orlando's last MLS triumph in May, could unlock the Revs' backline.

New England Revolution possible starting lineup:

Ivacic; Fofana, Hughes, Beason; Bye, Polster, Yusuf, Miller; Gil; Campana, Langoni 

Orlando City possible starting lineup:

Gallese; Freeman, Schlegel, Jansson, Brekalo; Atuesta, Araujo; Pasalic, Ojeda, Angulo; Muriel

We say: New England Revolution 1-3 Orlando City

Although neither New England nor Orlando has been in good form heading into Saturday's match, both teams have struggled to keep clean sheets, suggesting a potentially high-scoring game.

Considering Orlando's unbeaten record in this fixture since 2023, the Lions are favoured to secure maximum points against the Revs.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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