Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew Prediction & Betting Tips - Major League Soccer

Prediction published on 23/11/2023, 17:55  by Joseph King | Modified on 23/11/2023 at 18:22 in Major League Soccer Predictions

Second-seed Orlando City plays host to the third-seeded Columbus Crew for this single elimination Eastern Conference semi-final in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. The winner of this tie will go on to face either top-seeded Cincinnati or fourth-seed Philadelphia in the conference finals.

It’s been a superb season for Orlando City who secured second-place in the Eastern Conference standings with an 18-9-7 record. They look to be picking up steam at the perfect time as the Lions entered their MLS Cup Playoffs first-round matchup on a four game winning streak. They would then sweep Nashville 2-0 thanks to a pair of 1-0 victories to advance to the final eight. The hosts have now won their last six consecutive matches and are on an 8-1-1 run over their last 10 fixtures overall. Oscar Pareja’s men have built their success off of an extremely solid defensive foundation. Orlando City has managed to keep five clean sheets on their current six game winning streak. Their 13 total clean sheets in 37 matches this season is the second-most in the MLS, behind only Seattle’s 16.

The Crew have been the league’s most scintillating offensive team in 2023 and lead the scoring charts with 67 strikes in 34 regular season games. Columbus finished with a 16-9-9 regular season record to lock up third-place in the East. Their first round matchup against Atlanta United saw the series go to a decisive third game where the Crew would emerge victorious 4-2. Wilfried Nancy’s squad’s only loss in the last two months was game two of the previous series where they suffered a 4-2 loss after winning game one 2-0. Columbus has now won three of their last four overall, netting 10 goals during that stretch. The visitors’ Achilles heel this season has been their away form where they have managed only four wins in 18 trips.