Atlanta United is looking to win back-to-back games for the first time since last fall when it hosts Orlando City SC on Sunday in an MLS Eastern Conference matchup. A 3-0 win at home in the most recent meeting between these teams sparked a three-game Atlanta United win streak. Now it will try to make it two straight after beating Real Salt Lake 2-1 on Wednesday. Orlando played to a 1-1 draw with Colorado in Denver on Wednesday and has lost two of its past four. Still, Orlando (8-5-7) is fifth in the East standings. Atlanta (6-5-8) is in 11th place but just four points out of sixth, so both teams will be eager to secure maximum points.
Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET in Atlanta. United is the -112 favorite (risk $112 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line in the latest Atlanta United vs. Orlando City odds from Caesars Sportsbook, with Orlando the +280 underdog. A regulation draw is priced at +285, and the over-under for total goals scored is set at 2.5. Before making any Orlando City vs. Atlanta United picks or MLS predictions, you need to see what SportsLine soccer insider Brandt Sutton has to say.
Sutton, a former collegiate soccer player, has been SportsLine’s top soccer editor for nearly five years. He has followed soccer closely for much longer and factors in managerial tactics, projected lineups and past performances to make the most-informed decisions possible, keeping his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.
Sutton has also been on a roll with his best bets, going 109-80 in his last 189 soccer picks, returning over $2,900 for $100 bettors.
Now, Sutton has broken down the Atlanta United vs. Orlando City matchup from every angle and just locked in his picks and MLS predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the betting lines and trends for Orlando City vs. Atlanta United:
- Atlanta vs. Orlando spread: United -0.5 (-120)
- Atlanta vs. Orlando over-under: 2.5 goals
- Atlanta vs. Orlando money line: United -112, City +280, Draw +285
- ATL: It has held its opponent scoreless just three times this year
- ORL: It has scored more than once in seven of its 20 matches
- Atlanta vs. Orlando picks: See picks here.
Featured Game | Atlanta vs. Orlando City SC
Why you should back Atlanta United
The Five Stripes should have the confidence after cruising in the last matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta held 56 percent possession and had an 18-8 advantage in shots (5-2 on net). Five of its six victories (and just two of its eight losses) have come at home. Atlanta also has been at home savoring its win while Orlando will be trying to recover from the altitude from Denver and a long flight. Atlanta has scored at least one goal in 11 of its past 12 matches.
Josef Martinez, Ronaldo Cisneros and former Orlando star Dom Dwyer are among the attacking options who could torment the Lions. Cisneros scored both goals in the victory against Real Salt Lake in place of Martinez, who has five goals and three assists but came off the bench Wednesday. Orlando has conceded at least once in seven of its past eight games.
Why you should back Orlando City
The Lions come in off a pretty satisfying draw in a tough environment after beating Inter Miami 1-0 last weekend. It will be eager to keep the ball rolling, and it has the attackers to exploit Atlanta’s shaky back line. United has allowed at least two goals in nine of its past 12 games, so Austrian striker Ercan Kara (seven goals) should find room to operate. Facundo Torres is blossoming at age 22, and he scored his fourth goal of the season in the win in Denver and also has four assists.
The attackers get strong support from Torres’ Uruguayan countrymen Mauricio Pereyra, who has six assists, and Cesar Araujo. The 21-year-old Araujo keeps the ball flowing, completing 89 percent of his passes, and is a fierce defender, ranking fourth in MLS with 423 pressures. Brazilian Alexandre Pato also gets in on the action, chipping in three goals and setting up four. City also has experience in net with Peruvian Pedro Gallese, who has seven clean sheets and a 68.4 save percentage.
How to make Atlanta United vs. Orlando City picks
Sutton has analyzed the Orlando City vs. Atlanta United match from all sides, and he is going over on the goal total. He also provides two confident best bets, including a strong money-line pick, and has a full breakdown of the match. He’s only sharing his expert MLS picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Atlanta United vs. Orlando City in Sunday’s MLS matchup? And where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Orlando City vs. Atlanta United, all from the soccer expert on a 109-80 run on his last 189 soccer picks, and find out.
