Inter Miami vs. Orlando City SC MLS Preview and Prediction

MLS matchday 11 takes off this weekend with some exhilarating spectacles on the agenda, including the Florida derby between Inter Miami and Orlando City SC.

Last year’s champions sit second in the East and still seek the top spot in the league, while Orlando will simply want to get their team back on track with their third win of the season.

This is one brawl Floridians won’t want to miss, so prepare for the derby kick off Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET.

Inter Miami vs. Orlando City SC MLS Odds and Betting Trends

The Eastern sides enter this matchup with a dead-even historical record of 7-5-7 overall. Inter Miami have won the last two, both at home and away – including their most recent 4-2 win in March of this year. The last four meetings have seen at least three goals scored, so expect this one to be a barnburner.

Unfortunately for Orlando, they are massive underdogs looking to pull off a miracle win at +600 on the MLS odds. Miami stands strong in their new home Inter Miami CF Stadium at -330, with a draw set for +475.

Inter Miami

The Miami Herons have been on cruise control as of late since earning and holding their second-place spot in the East. After downing Real Salt Lake 2-0 on April 22, they would’ve liked to finish off the New England Revolution, but the game ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw. Despite some minor setbacks in dropping points, Inter Miami still boast the second-highest goal count in the conference (19), having gone 11 games undefeated this season since their opening loss to LAFC.

Lionel Messi finds himself well above anyone in goalscoring odds (-255) after netting seven in nine games, and with the Argentine legend now off the sheet for two straight games, he’ll be hungry for his eighth. Teammate German Bertame has come along nicely with three under his belt after tying it up against the Revs, as he’s priced to score anytime at +120 and followed by Luis Suarez at +130.

Orlando City SC

Orlando City have really fallen from grace over the last three years, placing lower and lower in the standings each season. This year, that trend continues, with the side posting the second-worst goal differential in the MLS (-17) after losing seven of their 10 games played. They were met with a 6-0 loss to LAFC to kick off April, finding just one 4-1 win against Charlotte on the 22nd – only to lose 3-2 to D.C. last Saturday. However, the 14th-place Lions are closing in on potential silverware after downing the Revolution 4-3 in the US Open Cup Round of 16. Other than that, they’ll need some major squad adjustments to outlast the mighty Inter Miami and Messi.

When it comes down to it, the Lions just don’t seem to have enough offensive firepower to make up for their lacklustre defence, which has allowed 29 goals this season – the highest in the league. The team hopes that leading goalscorer Martin Ojeda steals an early goal at +290 after bagging four so far this season. The team lacks a true goalscorer besides the Argentine midfielder, but the Lions will rely on forward Justin Ellis to do some damage to Miami’s back line with a potential goal at +360 odds after scoring one earlier this season.

MLS Prediction: Who Will Win Inter Miami vs. Orlando City SC?

Miami are the clear favourites here considering they enter their brand new home stadium on an 11-match streak without a loss and are always a threat in the attacking third – averaging two goals per game this season.

Orlando may just be victims of a strong team’s dominance once again, especially when you consider their 4-2 loss to the Herons just a few weeks ago. If all goes according to current trends, both teams will score and Miami will come out on top with a 3-1 win.