FC Cincinnati (1 win, 0 losses, 0 draws) battles Orlando City (1-0-0) at Exploria Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Below, we preview Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Orlando City vs. FC Cincinnati odds, and make our best expert MLS picks and predictions.
FC Cincinnati retained most of their top-end talent from a club that finished 5th in the Eastern Conference last season and had the 2nd-most goals in the conference. They took down the Houston Dynamo 2-1 at home in their season opener despite having 2 fewer shots on target.
Orlando City finished 7th in the East last season and didn’t make any noise in the playoffs, being eliminated by Montreal in the 1st round. They also opened their season with a 1-0 win at home against the New York Red Bulls despite having just 1 shot on target, scoring their lone goal on a penalty kick.
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Orlando City vs. FC Cincinnati odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 4:21 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Orlando City +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | FC Cincinnati +250 (bet $100 to win $250) | Draw +250
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Orlando City vs. FC Cincinnati picks and predictions
Prediction
Orlando City 1, FC Cincinnati 1
Moneyline (ML)
LEAN DRAW (+250).
Simply put, FC Cincinnati should be the better team, but neither team showcased much in their home opener. It’s often difficult for teams to get a good grip early in the season.
Orlando had fewer expected goals and fewer shots on goal and was completely limited offensively. FC Cincinnati drew 7 of 17 road matches last season and has a complete roster, filling out their midfield this offseason.
Considering how both teams played in their opener and FCC’s play on the road last season, back a DRAW (+250) for a small unit.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (-110).
FC Cincinnati should have looked better in their home opener. They had just 5 shots on target and 37% of the possession. Orlando City also looked unimpressive, having just 1 shot on target.
One game isn’t enough time to build the comradery between new midfield players and then the forwards. Along with lesser-tested set pieces, limited opportunities should be a theme of this match, as it was in each team’s opener.
These teams combined for 6 shots on goal in their openers. The Orlando City defense also held New York scoreless. Back the UNDER 2.5 (-110).
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