Orlando City VS Colorado Rapids Match Prediction

These sides have only met two times since Orlando became an MLS side.  In those two matches, Orlando has a win and a draw against the Rapids.  Here's a look at those two results:

Aug 21, 2016: Rapids 0-0 Orlando
June 25, 2015: Orlando 2-0 Rapids

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Orlando vs Colorado Prediction

This one looks very cut and dry.  Orlando City wins here to continue their run, and the Rapids continue their downward spiral.

Correct Score Prediction: Orlando City SC 2-0 Colorado Rapids

Orlando vs Colorado Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Orlando City SC are at ¾ to win, a draw is at 11/4, and a Colorado Rapids win is at 10/3.

A draw or a win for Colorado could get you 11/10 odds via the double chance.

Both teams to score is at 4/5 for yes and 19/20 for no.

A 1-0 win for Orlando City could get you 12/1 odds if correct at the final whistle.

Reason: The bookmakers are leaning heavily toward Orlando City because they are the home side and have been in tremendous form there to begin the season.  They are also facing a side low on confidence at the moment, so this match really should only go one way.

Team News

Jason Kreis will be without right back Rafael Ramos, center backs Jose Aja and Seb Hines, and attacking midfielder and former World Player of the Year Kaka due to injuries.

Key Man

Cyle Larin looked like a man amongst boys on Sunday against NYCFC.  On a pitch with World Cup winners Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, Larin was the standout star.  Not just for his goals, but because of his overall contribution.  Larin has freakish strength.  He was being held for his second goal- a well-placed headed goal.  But it did little to stop him.  There might be little to stop him from moving on to greener pastures soon, either, but as long as he is in MLS he will be terrorizing defences.  He's especially tough on the counterattack as he is very quick and strong and can be quite direct.  He can score all kinds of goals, as his six goals in six matches showcases.

Team Form

Orlando City have been in great form this season, and they have four wins in their last five fixtures.  They won 2-1 at Philadelphia to end March before returning to lose in Columbus 2-0.  Home wins over New York Red Bulls (1-0) and the LA Galaxy (2-1) followed, then they were able to go to New York and defeat NYCFC on Sunday 1-2 thanks to Cyle Larin's two goals.

Expected Line-up: 4-4-2

Team News

Pablo Mastroeni will be unable to use goalkeeper Tim Howard due to suspension as he got involved in a heated exchange with fans a couple of weeks ago.  He also has injuries to center back Axl Sjoberg, center midfielder Bismarck Boateng, and left winger Dillon Serna to deal with.

Key Man

The Rapids are in real trouble at the moment. They've found no one in the middle to replace Jermaine Jones' contributions from last season.  26 year old American Dillon Powers need to step up and produce some solid displays in the middle.  Last season, he was able to do that alongside Jones.  But for most of this season, the Rapids have been overrun in the middle of the park (and all over, really), and they must stamp down their authority by locking down the middle.  This will be very crucial as Orlando have shown themselves to be a great counterattacking side, so Powers and co. will have to watch and secure the middle for the entirety of the match to come away with a result.

Team Form

Colorado have been in terrible form, losing four times and drawing once in their last five matches.  They lost 1-0 away to New York Red Bulls before drawing 2-2 at home with expansion side Minnesota United. They started March with a 3-1 loss away to Sporting KC.  The following week, they lost at home to Real Salt Lake 1-2.  And last weekend, they lost away to Minnesota United 1-0.  

Expected Line-up: 4-3-3

Colorado come into this match in awful form. They lost and drew against expansion club Minnesota at a time when they shouldn\'t be getting results, and they also lost (at home) to a struggling Real Salt Lake side. It might not be time just yet for panic, but this is definitely not the same side that made the Western Conference finals last season. They must get things patched up soon, but that is very unlikely to happen when they travel to face Orlando City. They are playing great football right now, and have yet to drop points in their new stadium. It\'d be hard to see that happening this week.

Since opening their new park, Orlando City have been perfect. In their four matches there, they have 12 points, scoring six times and conceding just twice. The Rapids, on the other hand, have just one away goal in three matches and no points to show from those matches.