Two sides separated by a point in the Eastern Conference MLS playoffs line will square off this weekend as Orlando City welcomes Columbus Crew to Exploria Stadium in the last match day of the 2022 campaign. Kickoffs on October 9 at 21:30 EAT.
The hosts sit right outside the playoffs in the Eastern Conference with 45 points, a point above Sunday’s opponents in the 7th place. Orlando City has picked up 13 2ins against 14 loses and six draws in their campaign this season. Coming into this game, Orlando City lost three and won three of their last six matches (WWLLWL).
Orlando City prepares for this game looking to make amends following 4-1 MLS ltrashoing at the hands of Inter Miami in their last match. In that game, Orlando city managed 60% possession, 16 shots with one of them on target and a goal scored by Ercan Kara (71′). Inter Miami got six shots with four of them on target and goals by Leonardo Campana (1′), Gonzalo Higuaín (38′, 52′) and Ariel Lassiter (56′).
Meanwhile, Columbus Crew will want to end their campaign without a loss since they are on a three game unbeaten run at the moment. This is a must win match for Caleb porter’s squad as any other results less than a win would compromise their playoffs spot. Coming into this game, the Crew lost and won one of their last six matches drawing in four (DDLDWD).
Columbus Crew shared spoils 2-2 with Charlotte FC in their most recent encounter. In that game, Columbus Crew had 48% possession, 17 shots with eight of them on target and goals scored by Lucas Zelarayán (36′) and Luis Díaz (54′). Charlotte FC got 15 shots with seven of them on target and goals by Daniel Ríos (58′) and Andre Shinyashiki (90′).
Orlando City vs. Columbus Crew head to head
There have been 18 head to head encounters between these two sides since 2014; Orlando City claims eight victories, Columbus Crew six victories while four matches ended in draws.
- Columbus 0-2 Orlando 7/04/22
- Columbus 3-2 Orlando 28/10/21
- Orlando 3-2 Columbus 05/09/21
- Orlando 2-1 Columbus 05/11/20
- Orlando 1-0 Columbus 14/07/19
Home
- Miami 4-1 Orlando
- New York City 2-1 Orlando
- Orlando 4-0 Toronto
- Orlando 0-1 Atlanta
- Philadelphia 5-1 Orlando
Away
- Columbus 2-1 New York
- Columbus 1-1 Portland
- Miami 2-1 Columbus
- Montreal 2-2 Columbus
- Columbus 0-0 Chicago
Orlando City team news
Óscar Pareja will be unable to call upon the services of Alexandre Pato and Gastón González who have been sidelined through injuries.
Columbus Crew team news
As for Caleb Porter, Perry Kitchen remains the only injury concern ahead of this match.
Prediction and odds
- Draw
- Goals over 2.5
- Both teams to score
