Charlotte vs Orlando City Match Analysis & Prediction
31/08/2023 2:30 am
Charlotte FC will take on Orlando City at the Bank of America Stadium on Thursday morning, in the latest round of the MLS fixtures.
With a third of the regular MLS season left to play, the hosts are currently sitting in 12th place, while the visitors are up in fourth.
Charlotte were not in the best of form in the MLS prior to it being put on hold, failing to win any of their final eight matches, meaning they are now outside of the playoff spots, trailing ninth-placed Chicago Fire by three points.
However, their solid performance in the Leagues Cup while the MLS was paused may have gone some way to lifting spirits, proressing through a group containing Dallas and Necaxa, before beating Cruz Azul in the round of 32 stage.
Despite being minnows, Christian Lattanzio’s side then put in a solid display against Houston Dynamo to reach the quarter final stage, but they were ulimately eliminated by eventual winners Inter Miami.
There is no shame in losing to the side that went on to win the competition, particularly considering Inter Miami now have Lionel Messi at their disposal, and Charlotte have since bounced back with a 2-1 victory against Los Angeles FC.
Orlando City are fourth in the Eastern Conference of the MLS, having collected 43 points in 25 matches, which means they should be a shoo-in for the playoffs at the end of the campaign, barring a major dip in form.
Oscar Pareja’s side are 11 points behind league leaders FC Cincinnati, so a push for top spot seems unlikely, but they have steadily been building momentum in the MLS, with their form improving dramatically prior to the early August break.
The Lions have won five of their last six MLS matches, while they also showcased some promising signs in the Leagues Cup, beating Houston Dynamo and Santos Laguna in the group stages, before eventually being eliminated by Inter Miami.
Orlando have gone on to win their last two MLS matches, most recently beating Western Conference leaders St Louis City 2-1, through a 91st-minute Facundo Torres penalty.
Charlotte vs. Orlando City Head to head
In the four previous meetings between these two teams, they have each claimed two victories, while scoring five goals apiece.
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01/05/2022Orlando City2Charlotte1MLS
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22/08/2022Charlotte1Orlando City2MLS
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19/03/2023Orlando City1Charlotte2MLS
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10/05/2023Charlotte1Orlando City0US Open Cup
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31/08/2023CharlotteN/AOrlando CityN/AMLS
Charlotte Team News
Charlotte are set to be without striker Enzo Copetti, who sustained an injury in the 1-1 draw against New York City FC in July.
That means Karol Swiderski is set to lead the line for the hosts, despite not scoring in his last four matches.
Charlotte's Last 5 Matches
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30/07/2023Necaxa1Charlotte4Leagues Cup
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04/08/2023Charlotte(P)0Cruz Azul0Leagues Cup
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08/08/2023Charlotte2Houston Dynamo1Leagues Cup
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12/08/2023Inter Miami4Charlotte0Leagues Cup
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27/08/2023Charlotte2Los Angeles1MLS
Orlando City Team News
Orlando’s Carlos Antonio is still sidelined, having missed the last two matches, meaning Rodrigo Schlegel and Robin Jansson are set to keep their places at centre-back.
Long-term absentee Gaston Gonzalez is still unavailable for selection, so Ivan Angulo is set to keep his place at left-wing, with Torres on the opposite flank, playing provider for Duncan McGuire in attack.
Orlando City's Last 5 Matches
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22/07/2023Orlando City(P)1Houston Dynamo1Leagues Cup
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30/07/2023Santos Laguna2Orlando City3Leagues Cup
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03/08/2023Inter Miami3Orlando City1League Cup
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21/08/2023Chicago Fire1Orlando City3MLS
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27/08/2023Orlando City2St Louis City1MLS
Charlotte vs. Orlando City: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
Double Chance: Charlotte or X
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