Orlando City set out in search of a third consecutive MLS victory when they play host to New England Revolution at the Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening.
Clint Peay's men are unbeaten in each of their last nine games against the home side since June 2019 and will head into the weekend looking to extend this dominant run.
Match preview
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Orlando City continued their fine late-season form as they picked up a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nashville when the sides squared off at Geodis Park on Wednesday night.
In a game where Daniel Lovitz received his marching orders, 22-year-old Duncan McGuire scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half time to hand the hosts their 10th league defeat.
Oscar Pareja's men have now gone unbeaten in eight of their last nine matches, picking up six wins and two draws in the league since their League Cup round-of-16 exit at the hands of Inter Miami on August 3.
Their only defeat in their time came on September 21, when they were beaten 2-0 by New York City FC at Citi Field, with Monsef Bakrar and Talles Magno scoring in either half to fire the Pigeons to all three points.
With just two games to go before the end of the regular season, Orlando City have picked up 57 points from 32 matches to sit second in the Eastern Conference standings, five points and three places above Sunday's visitors.
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New England Revolution, on the other hand, were sent crashing back to earth on Wednesday as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Columbus Crew at the Gillette Stadium.
After falling behind to Diego Rossi's first-half opener, Tomas Chancalay pulled the hosts level three minutes into the second period, but Malte Amundsen struck with four minutes left in the game to hand the Crew all three points.
Prior to that, Peay's side snapped their four-match winless run last Sunday when they picked up a 2-1 victory over Charlotte FC thanks to second-half goals from Noel Buck and defender Dave Romney.
While the Revs will be looking to find their feet this weekend, they have struggled for results away from home, where they are currently on a five-game winless run and have managed just one win in their last 13 outings, losing seven and picking up five draws since May.
However, New England Revolution will be backing themselves this weekend as they take on an opposing side who have lost each of their last three meetings and are winless in their last nine — losing six and claiming three draws — since a 2-1 victory in June 2019.
Team News
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Orlando City will be without the services of American youngster Favian Loyola, who has been sidelined since picking up an arm injury back in July.
He is joined on the Lions' injury table by 32-year-old goalkeeper Adam Grinwis, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines through a thigh injury.
McGuire has been on song for Pareja's men, and the 22-year-old, who has three goal involvements in his last three matches should spearhead the attack once again, alongside Martin Ojeda and Facundo Torres.
New England Revolution remain without several players down the spine of the team as the likes of Maciel (Achilles tendon), Brandon Bye (ACL) and Henry Kessler (hamstring) have been sidelined through injuries.
Twenty-year-old Damian Rivera is set to sit out his third consecutive game through a knee problem, while Colombian midfielder Dylan Borrero has been out of action since April through an ACL injury
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Smith, Schlegel, Jansson, Santos; Araujo, Cartagena; Torres, Pereyra, Ojeda; McGuire
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Edwards Jr; Jones, Farrell, Romney, Polster; Buck, Kaye; Chancalay, Gil, Boateng; Vrioni
We say: Orlando City 2-0 New England Revolution
While Orlando City and New England Revolution have already secured post-season football, we anticipate a thrilling contest at the Exploria Stadium as both sides look to finish the regular season strong. The Lions have been near impenetrable at home in recent weeks and we fancy them coming out on top in this one.
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Top tip
Joshua Ojele
