FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City: MLS preview, tips and team news


MLS' worst home side return to action at the TQL Stadium this weekend as FC Cincinnati look to improve their home turf woes against Oscar Pareja's Orlando City.

The hosts' immense form on the road means that they head into Saturday's game just outside the Eastern Conference playoffs, while their visitors Orlando City are sat in fourth after ending a three-match winless streak last time out.

RealSport101's Harry Smith is on hand to provide a comprehensive preview of Saturday's MLS Eastern Conference battle, including team news, predicted starting XIs and predictions.

FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City Team News

Pat Noonan will be without three first-team players for the visit of Orlando City this weekend with Alec Kann, Ronald Matarrita and Calvin Harris all unavailable for selection. The home side could make just one change following the 1-1 draw against Philadelphia Union with central midfielder Allan Cruz replacing Haris Medunjanin.

More changes are expected from Saturday's visitors with Oscar Pareja expected to rotate his starting XI following a 2-1 home win against the Houston Dynamo. Benji Michel is set to be recalled on the left after Jake Mulraney struggled to make an impact against the Dynamo, while Andres Perea could replace Junior Urso in central midfield.

Ercan Kara is keeping the established name of Alexandre Pato out of the starting XI with the Austrian striker having scored both goals in Orlando City's last game. Pareja will be without two first-team players due to injury this weekend with centre-back Antonio Carlos and winger Silvester van der Water both unavailable.

Confirmed Absentees

FC Cincinnati: Alec Kann, Ronald Matarrita, Calvin Harris

Orlando City: Antonio Carlos, Silvester van der Water

Predicted Lineups

FC Cincinnati (3-4-1-2): Celentano; Hagglund, Cameron, Blackett; Gaddis, Nwobodo, Cruz, Nelson; Barreal; Vazquez, Brenner

Orlando City (4-2-3-1): Gallese; Ruan, Smith, Jansson, Moutinho; Araujo, Perea; Torres, Pereyra, Michel

FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City Score Prediction

FC Cincinnati had striker Brandon Vazquez to thank last weekend as his first-half strike helped the Orange and Blue avoid a third consecutive MLS defeat. Pat Noonan's side has fallen away after a positive start to the season, conceding eight goals in their last three league games ahead of Orlando City's visit to the TQL Stadium.

Central to the home side's struggles has been their dismal home form. No side in MLS has picked up fewer points at home than FC Cincinnati's six with Pat Noonan's men heading into this game having lost three of their last four games on home turf, conceding nine goals in the process.

Orlando City got their season back on track last time out when they ended a three-match winless run with a 2-1 victory at home to Houston Dynamo. The Lions currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference but will need to address their defensive shortcomings if they're to be serious contenders when the MLS Cup rolls around.

Oscar Pareja's side have kept just a single clean sheet from their last 11 games in all competitions ahead of their trip to take on an FC Cincinnati side that boasts plenty of attacking talent. The visitors will take some confidence from their away form though, having lost just one of their eight MLS games away from the Exploria Stadium this season.

Score Prediction: FC Cincinnati 1-2 Orlando City

Harry Smith's Tip: Over 2.5 Goals

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