Atlanta United set out in search of their first away win of the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign when they journey to the Inter & Co Stadium to take on Orlando City on Saturday night.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides since their playoff semi-final clash back in November when the Lions picked up a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to a first-half strike from Argentine forward Ramiro Enrique.
Match preview
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Orlando City were involved in a share of the spoils for the third consecutive game as they played out a goalless draw with CF Montreal when the two sides squared off at the Saputo Stadium last weekend.
For the second consecutive game, Orlando finished one man down after Rafael Santos picked up a red card in the 76th minute but they withstood a late flurry from the hosts to come away with a point in Montreal.
While Orlando have picked up just three points from their most recent three outings, Sunday's result means that they are now unbeaten in six straight games, claiming two wins and four draws, since a 2-1 defeat at New York City FC on March 9.
Head coach Oscar Pareja will be pleased with his side's start to the campaign as they sit seventh in the Western Conference standings with 13 points from nine matches and could move level with fifth-placed Philadelphia Union with a win on Sunday.
Orlando will be backing themselves to keep the juggernaut rolling this weekend as they take on an opposing side who have failed to win 10 of their last 14 meetings, losing five and claiming five draws since August 2020.
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Atlanta United, on the other hand, were condemned to consecutive defeats for the first time this season as they fell to a 3-0 defeat against 10-man Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park last weekend.
In a game where Juvan Lukic received his matching orders, Quinn Sullivan, Danley Jean Jacques and substitute Tai Baribo all found the back of the net to fire Philadelphia to their fifth league win of the campaign.
Since scraping a 3-2 home victory over Montreal in February's season opener, Atlanta United have failed to win seven of their subsequent eight league outings, losing four and claiming three draws — with a narrow 4-3 victory over New York City on March 30 being the exception.
With nine points from the opening nine matches, Ronny Deila's men are currently 12th in the Western Conference table, only above Montreal, Toronto FC and DC United, but they could move level with eighth-placed Chicago Fire with a win at the Inter & Co Stadium.
However, results on the road offer little optimism as Atlanta United have failed to win their three away matches this season, claiming one point from a possible nine while conceding seven goals and scoring twice so far.
Team News
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Orlando City will have to cope without the services of Brazilian defender Santos, who is currently suspended after receiving his marching orders against Montreal last time out.
On the injury front, Pareja will be unable to name the attacking duo of Yutaro Tsukada and 19-year-old Favian Loyola, who have been ruled out through knee and thigh problems respectively.
Wilder Cartagena is yet to feature this year after suffering an Achilles tendon problem in December's playoff clash against New York Red Bulls while Enrique is a doubt after missing last weekend's clash against Montreal through injury.
Atlanta United, meanwhile, will have to cope without experienced defender Derrick Williams, who has missed each of the last three games since coming off with a muscle injury against New York City on March 30.
He is joined on the club's injury table by Colombian forward Edwin Mosquera, who is set to sit out his 10th straight game since picking up an ankle problem against Inter Miami on March 17.
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Freeman, Brekalo, Jansson, Smith; Pasalic, Thorhallsson, Gerbet, Angulo; Muriel, Ojeda
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Gregersen, Abram, Amador; Slisz, Miranchuk, Muyumba; Lobjanidze, Lath, Almiron
We say: Orlando City 2-1 Atlanta United
Atlanta United have struggled to get going this season and are in for a tough 90 minutes against a well-drilled Orlando City side who are unbeaten in their last six outings. That said, we predict that Pareja's men will make the most of their home advantage and come away with the desired result this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
