Orlando City vs Inter Miami
9 July 0100hrs
Football – USA – MLS
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Coral
Odds: 6/5 odds taken 1000 GMT, Wednesday 8 July
The MLS returns for the first time in four months with an all Florida affair. Orlando City take on one of this year’s expansion teams Inter Miami in a newly formatted group stage.
Table of Contents
- 1 Orlando City Preview – Will Orlando make it lucky 13 as they bid to put a 12 game winless run behind them?
- 2 Inter Miami – Can Miami record their first success in franchise history against Floridian rivals?
- 3 Orlando City vs Inter Miami Betting Advice
- 4 The best betting odds for Orlando City vs Inter Miami
Orlando City Preview – Will Orlando make it lucky 13 as they bid to put a 12 game winless run behind them?
Oscar Pareja was just beginning his first season in charge of Orlando City before the pandemic struck. The Colombian was taking on a huge task as he looked to improve the fortunes of one of the worst teams in MLS. City finished second bottom of the Eastern Conference last season having been bottom the year before. In their five years of franchise history Orlando have never made the playoffs.
It was not the ideal start to this campaign, either, taking just a point from their first couple of games. A goalless draw at home to Real Salt Lake followed by a 2-1 defeat against Pareja’s old club Colorado Rapids suggests there is a lot of work to do for the new coach.
Nani is the undoubted star for Orlando and enjoyed a good first season personally in 2019. The Portuguese forward netted 12 goals but has yet to kickoff this campaign due to a suspension carried over from the previous season. Nani looks set to start in this game and his inclusion will be hugely welcomed as Orlando go in search of their first success under Pareja.
Another of City’s key players is Uruguayan midfielder Mauricio Pereyra who moved to the club halfway through last season from Russian club Krasnodar.
Inter Miami – Can Miami record their first success in franchise history against Floridian rivals?
There has been a lot of anticipation around Inter Miami becoming an MLS expansion team due to the involvement of David Beckham. As one of the owners his presence has created a lot of buzz and attention. On the limited evidence we have seen so far, Miami have got a long season ahead of them. Coached by Diego Alonso – who has vast experience in Mexican football – Inter Miami have lost their first two games.
Both losses have been by narrow margins with a 1-0 loss against Los Angeles before a 2-1 defeat against DC United. Both matches were also away from home meaning this game will be the first time they play a competitive game in their home state.
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Most franchises take time to build and this is likely to be the case for Miami. That’s shown by the fact they only have two signed designated players in the shape of Rodolfo Pizarro and Matias Pellegrini. Pizzaro is an established Mexican internationalist whilst Pellegrini will hope to have a similar impact as many young South Americans who have ventured to MLS.
Scottish Internationalist Lewis Morgan is another who has joined Miami and whilst not a designated player, brings experience of playing in the UK for both Celtic and Sunderland.
Orlando City vs Inter Miami Betting Advice
Although acting as a standalone competition, the MLS is Back tournament will contribute to team’s overall points for the main championship. Orlando and Inter will be joined by Chicago Fire, New York City, Philadelphia Union and Nashville in Group A.
The top two will definitely qualify for the next round whilst the team in third place will also have a chance.
Key Facts – Orlando City vs Inter Miami Betting Tip
- The MLS is Back tournament is World Cup-type tournament acting as a precursor to the return of the MLS championship
- It’s the first action for both clubs since football stopped in early March in the states
- This will be the first ever competitive meeting between the two teams hailing from the Sunshine State
Although unable to take a point from their first two games, Inter Miami were the more impressive of the teams in the opening couple of games. Orlando will be better for the introduction of Nani but it could still be a long campaign for them.
With this game being the first match back for both team who have scored and combined two goals in the opening two weeks of the 2020 season, this could be a match short on goals. It’s with a bit of caution but the selection us under 2.5 goals.
