An impressive campaign for Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City leaves them flying high in the Eastern Conference and the Lions should be confident of three points when they take on struggling Atlanta United (8pm ET Saturday on FOX).
Orlando are unbeaten in their last three and have now moved up to third while Atlanta are five points behind in ninth but have played a game less. Many will be looking at a comfortable evening for the hosts but Atlanta are in mixed form and that could always pose a danger.
Lions vs Five Stripes Moneyline Odds
The moneyline market is a little tighter than you might have expected with + betting odds on all three possible outcomes. Orlando City are the favorites with many of the premier sportsbooks putting the hosts right on that +100 (evens) line. Victory for Atlanta United is next on the betting lines at prices up to a high of +250 (5/2) while the draw is only just behind at a general +260.
The form guide tells us that Orlando are in the ascendancy although recent results are closer than the current MLS Standings might indicate. The Lions are unbeaten in their last three but prior to that run they lost their previous two, away to Inter Miami and Portland Timbers. Atlanta have lost three in that period which is the concern but there are reasons to consider the draw at the very least.
OCSC vs ATLUTD Bookies’ Props Betting
Neither side has been especially prolific in front of goal so will that have a bearing on some of the prop bets for Saturday’s match? Both Teams to Score is a common place to start in this section and most sportsbooks have BTTS listed at odds of -175. Total Goals options show similarly short prices with odds for betting Over the 2.5 line coming in at a general -150.
Pushing a little further to Over 3.5 brings best odds of +188 but the stats don’t offer too much confidence. ATLUTD are the issue here with just three goals in their last five matches. They have failed to find the net on three occasions during that run and, while we suspect they will score at least one on Sunday, the numbers don’t suggest a feast of goals. As for OCSC, the figures are much better with 10 goals in their last five, an average of two per game.
The sportsbooks have been a little slow in reacting to the midweek matches so we’re still waiting for many to publish their individual goal scorer options. We have isolated bookmakers quoting right now but, when those markets fill up, who should we be watching?
Orlando City have a number of strikers who are averaging around a goal every three games but one forward with a better ratio is the much-travelled Nani. The former Manchester United, Valencia and Sporting Lisbon winger scored 15 times in his first 36 MLS matches and is one to consider if he makes the starting XI.
For Atlanta United, Venezuelan Striker Josef Martinez is one of the most prolific strikers in the division. His record of 77 goals in his first 84 matches for the Five Stripes is exceptional and he will always pose a threat when he is on the pitch.
That leaves us with a few markets to consider and USAbetting’s match preview will round off with the Correct Score bet. We are edging towards a low scoring draw in this game with our Orlando City vs Atlanta Utd predictions but even if you don’t agree with that assessment, you may still be looking at a tight encounter. Our preference would be for a 1-1 draw which comes in at a general +600. Alternatively, a 2-1 win for Orlando City can be backed at around +700 while the same outcome in favor of Atlanta United is available at a best of +1100.
The odds setters are pointing to a win for the form team but have they got it right? This what we think with our picks:
Our Preview’s Orlando City vs Atlanta Utd Predictions & Betting Picks Verdict
Despite having one of the most prolific strikers in MLS, Atlanta are having some serious issues in front of goal right now. A poor run has seen them slip down the table but they are not out of contention and this MLS game preview is looking for an improvement on Saturday.
OCSC have been better in terms of hitting the target but they are also conceding at the back with eight goals scored by opponents in their last five. Trends are meant to be broken and a slight improvement for Atlanta United should see both teams claiming a share of the points. It should be a low scorer, however, and in terms of prop bets, that leaves us with a small set of options.
For our OCSC vs ATLUTD predictions, USAbetting will take under 2.5 goals for this game as opposed to Both Teams to Score. Individual goal scorer markets are slowly coming in and we’ll therefore finish with the dangerous Nani to find the net in 90 minutes. In summary, these are the picks:
- Bet the draw @ best odds of +310 with Betonline.
- Take under 2.5 goals @ biggest odds of +115 with Bovada.
- Expect Nani to score at any time @ +130 with Intertops.
Matt Harris is a golf and soccer expert for USA Betting. His other area of specialist knowledge is cricket. He is well known in sports journalism and contributes articles to a plethora of big-name websites and media outlets. Titles that he writes or has written for include: Betfair, BetVictor, Unibet & Just Bookies.