In one of just two MLS games Thursday, Philadelphia Union (6 wins, 3 losses, 5 draws) travel south to take on Orlando City SC (6-3-4) at Exploria Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Orlando City SC vs. Philadelphia Union odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
Philadelphia and Orlando will meet in a clash of two of the top four Eastern Conference teams. However, it won’t be a full showing of the talent each roster possesses.
Orlando will be without F Daryl Dike, who is trying to will the USMNT in the Gold Cup. Philadelphia is hit a bit harder as starting GK Andre Blake, F Cory Burke and D Alvas Powell are all playing for the Jamaican Olympic team.
Philadelphia will enter 2-1-2 over its last five games, while Orlando City is 2-2-1.
Philadelphia Union at Orlando City SC: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:18 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Philadelphia Union +275 (bet $100 to win $275) | Orlando City SC -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Draw +270
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -155 | U: +115)
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Prediction
Orlando City 2, Philadelphia Union 0
Money line (ML)
BET ORLANDO CITY SC (-115) as Philadelphia is just down too many key players.
The Union are down one of its top goal scorers in Burke, who is tied for the team lead with four, along with its starting goalie in Blake. That’s quite a bit to be missing.
Orlando MF Nani is one of the most talented players in the MLS as well, so he should help captain the home side.
Orlando has been better at home, winning three of six, while Philadelphia hasn’t been that great on the road. The Union have won just two of seven road matches.
Expect Orlando to win given the circumstances.
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Over/Under (O/U)
“LEAN” to the UNDER 2.5 (+115) as both teams are short-handed forwards and have had strong defenses so far this season.
In a combined 27 games, the two sides have combined to give up just 26 goals. Offensively, they’ve combined for just 39 goals.
Considering how dominant their defenses have proven to be and how lacking their respective offense should be during Gold Cup play, I’d think the Under, especially for plus-money value, is the better bet.
The Under has hit for Philadelphia in three of its last five contests. The Under has hit for Orlando in six of its 13 matches so far this season.
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