Looking to end their six-game winless run in the MLS and move into the playoffs places, New England Revolution visit the Exploria Stadium to face Orlando City on Saturday.
The Lions will head into the weekend aiming to get one over the visitors, having failed to win any of the last six meetings between the sides since June 2019.
Match preview
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Orlando City bottled their one-goal lead in injury time as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Wayne Rooney's DC United at the Audi Field last Sunday.
After trailing to Junior Urso's ninth-minute opener for most of the game, the Black-and-Reds mounted a thrilling comeback in injury time as Christopher Durkin and Taxiarchis Fountas scored in a four-minute spell to turn the game on its head.
Prior to that, Oscar Pareja's side secured their place in the final of the US Open Cup courtesy of a 5-1 thrashing of New York Red Bulls when the sides met in the last four on July 28.
Orlando City head into the weekend without a win in any of their most recent four MLS games, claiming two draws and losing twice since a slender 1-0 victory over Inter Miami on July 10.
With 30 points from 23 games, the Lions are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, level on points with sixth-placed Columbus Crew and one above Inter Miami just outside the playoff places.
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New England Revolution, on the other hand, failed to find their feet last time out when they were held to an uneventful goalless draw by Toronto FC at the Gillette Stadium.
Bruce Arena's men have now failed to taste victory in each of their last six outings, picking up four draws and losing twice since June's 2-1 win over Minnesota United.
This disappointing run has been owing to a lethargic display by the Revs' attackers in recent weeks as they have failed to find the target in three of their last six games while scoring five goals in that time.
New England Revolution have picked up six wins, nine draws and lost seven of their 22 games this season to collect 27 points and sit 11th in the Eastern Conference table, level on points with 10th-placed Chicago Fire and two off Charlotte FC in the final playoff spot.
This weekend's visitors will be backing themselves to arrest their slump and return to winning ways as they go up against an opposing side against whom they are unbeaten in six straight encounters between the teams, claiming three wins and three draws since a 2-1 loss in September 2019.
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Team News
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Orlando City will be without the services of Mason Stajduhar after the 24-year-old goalkeeper picked up a jaw injury in May's 2-1 win over Inter Miami.
He is joined on the club's injury table by American midfielder Joseph DeZart, who has missed 12 consecutive games through a knee injury.
Austrian forward Ercan Kara, who has nine goal involvements in the league this season, should return to the fray this weekend after missing the Lions' last two games.
Meanwhile, New England Revolution will make do with the absence of 22-year-old goalkeeper Jacob Jackson, who continues his spell on the sidelines through a leg injury.
The attacking duo of Dylan Borrero and Argentine forward Gustavo Bou remain doubts for this weekend's encounter after missing the last two games against Columbus Crew and Toronto FC respectively through knocks.
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Ruan, Schlegel, Moutinho, Jansson; Torres, Araujo, Perea, Mulraney; Pereyra, Kara
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Bye, Farrell, Kessler, Jones; Polster, Kaptoum; Lletget, Gil, McNamara; Rennicks
We say: Orlando City 2-1 New England Revolution
Orlando City and New England Revolution head into the weekend in need of a pick-me-up after struggling for results in recent weeks. The Revs have managed just two wins in their last 11 away games in the league and we are backing Orlando City to make use of their home advantage and claim a slender victory.
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Top tip
Joshua Ojele
