Orlando City are due to welcome Nashville SC to the Exploria Stadium in the latest round of Major League Soccer (MLS) fixtures this weekend.
The hosts will be looking to take advantage of the visitors' nine-game losing streak in a bid to shore up their playoff chances.
Match preview
Orlando City enter this match sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference table with 34 points, well within the playoff spots. However, they will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Sporting Kansas City in their last MLS outing.
This loss followed their Leagues Cup round-of-32 exit at the hands of Cruz Azul, marking a tough period for Oscar Pareja's side.
Before these setbacks, Orlando had been enjoying a strong run of form, going unbeaten in five consecutive league matches, which included four wins and a draw. This impressive streak had seen them climb the Eastern Conference standings and solidify their playoff credentials.
The recent defeats have served as a reminder that there is still work to be done, and a win here would go a long way towards restoring their momentum as they aim to secure a favourable playoff seeding.
A victory here would not only provide the hosts with a boost in confidence but also create a buffer from the chasing pack below them.
One factor playing in the hosts' favour is Nashville's alarming slump in form. The visitors are enduring a torrid spell, with their losing streak stretching to nine matches in all competitions, including seven consecutive defeats in the league. This drastic drop in form has seen them plummet to 14th in the Eastern Conference, with just 26 points to their name.
However, Pareja's men currently hold the worst home record in the Eastern Conference and the second-worst in the entire league, and this vulnerability at Exploria Stadium has been a key factor in their inconsistent season - something they must overcome if they are to secure a favourable playoff seeding.
Nashville, sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference with 26 points, are in desperate need of a turnaround, but under the new leadership of BJ Callaghan, who took over as head coach on July 31, the team has been unable to halt the alarming slide that predates his reign.
The visitors continue to endure torrid form that has now stretched into a nine-match losing streak across all competitions, including seven consecutive defeats in the league which has placed them at serious risk of missing the playoffs, making every game critical for their survival hopes.
Adding to their woes, Nashville's away form this season has been particularly dismal - they hold the worst away record in the Eastern Conference, further compounded by their struggles in front of goal.
With only eight goals scored on the road — the joint-lowest in the conference alongside Austin FC — Nashville face an uphill battle as they travel to Orlando. Their inability to find the back of the net away from home has been a significant factor in their decline, highlighting the monumental task they face this weekend.
The head-to-head record between the teams at Exploria Stadium offers a slight glimmer of hope for the visitors, albeit a mixed one.
Both teams have met six times at Orlando's home ground across all competitions, and in that time Orlando have claimed three victories, including one in the US Open Cup, while Nashville have managed two wins in MLS play, with one match ending in a draw.
This relatively even record adds another layer of intrigue to this weekend's encounter, as both sides will be eager to tip the balance in their favour and gain a crucial edge in this pivotal clash.
Team News
Orlando City will be without Jack Lynn and Mason Stajduhar for this fixture; Lynn continues to recover from a leg injury, while Stajduhar is also sidelined due to a leg problem.
Cesar Araujo will also return to contention after serving his one-game suspension.
For Nashville SC, the situation is more complicated with multiple key players unavailable. Tyler Boyd and Sean Davis are both out due to knee injuries.
Randall Leal, who has been a crucial part of their attacking setup, is sidelined with a hip issue.
Additionally, Lukas MacNaughton is unavailable due to an ankle injury, and Dru Yearwood is also out with a lower-body problem.
The lack of these players leaves the visitors with a significantly depleted squad, making it a tough task to overcome their current losing streak.
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Thorhallsson, Brekalo, Jansson, Santos; Cartagena, Lodeiro; Torres, Ojeda, Cortes; Enrique
Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Moore, Bauer, Maher, Lovitz; Godoy, Jones; Muyi, Mukhtar, Surridge; Bunbury
We say: Orlando City 2-0 Nashville SC
Orlando City will be eager to make the most of their home advantage and capitalise on Nashville SC's dire form, and we are backing them to do exactly that.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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