MATCH OVERVIEW
St. Louis City and Orlando City are set to face off in a pivotal MLS match that could have lasting implications for their season trajectories. As the home team, St. Louis City will look to leverage their familiarity with the venue to gain an advantage over Orlando City, who have been formidable opponents this season. The match will take place at St. Louis City's home stadium, providing them with the support of their passionate fanbase.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The average odds for this match suggest a closely contested battle, with Orlando City slightly favored to win. The odds are as follows: Home win at 2.83, Draw at 3.53, and Away win at 2.26. This translates to a probability of approximately 35.3% for a St. Louis City victory, 28.3% for a draw, and 44.2% for an Orlando City win. Given these odds, Orlando City is expected to have a slight edge, but the match could swing either way.
TEAM ANALYSIS
St. Louis City
St. Louis City has had a mixed season, with an average of 17 matches played. They have shown a tendency for high-scoring games, with 52.94% of their matches featuring over 2.5 goals. However, their goal-scoring rate is relatively low at 0.82 goals per game, indicating potential struggles in converting chances. Defensively, they concede an average of 1.35 goals per game, which they will need to tighten against Orlando City's potent attack.
Orlando City
Orlando City has been more prolific in front of goal, averaging 1.82 goals per game. Their matches often feature over 2.5 goals, with a 70.59% occurrence rate. They possess a balanced approach with a slightly better possession rate than St. Louis City at 46.71%. Orlando City's defense is marginally better, conceding 1.29 goals per game, which could be crucial in this matchup.
Head-to-Head
Historically, these teams have had competitive encounters, with Orlando City often having the upper hand. St. Louis City will need to break this trend and capitalize on their home advantage to secure a win.
KEY PLAYERS SPOTLIGHT
St. Louis City
- Roman Bürki: A key figure in defense, Bürki's performance will be vital in keeping Orlando City's attackers at bay.
- Cedric Teuchert: With 3 goals this season, Teuchert will be crucial in leading the attack.
Orlando City
- Martín Ojeda: Leading the scoring charts with 8 goals, Ojeda is a constant threat in the attacking third.
- Marco Pasalic: Another key player with 6 goals, Pasalic's ability to find the net will be pivotal.
STATISTICAL DEEP DIVE
Offensive Metrics
- St. Louis City: Average 11 shots per game, with 4.06 on target.
- Orlando City: Average 14.41 shots per game, with 5 on target.
Defensive Metrics
- St. Louis City: Average 3.53 goalkeeper saves per game.
- Orlando City: Average 2.88 goalkeeper saves per game.
Possession and Passing
- St. Louis City: Average possession of 45.24% and 390.47 passes per game.
- Orlando City: Average possession of 46.71% and 421.59 passes per game.
PREDICTION AND CONCLUSION
Based on the data, Orlando City appears to have a slight advantage due to their superior goal-scoring ability and balanced team performance. However, St. Louis City's home advantage and potential for high-scoring games could make this a closely contested match.
Final Score Prediction
- Full Time: St. Louis City 1-2 Orlando City
- Half Time: St. Louis City 0-1 Orlando City
Key Factors
- Orlando City's attacking prowess and St. Louis City's home advantage.
- The ability of key players like Martín Ojeda and Roman Bürki to influence the game.
In conclusion, while Orlando City is favored to win, St. Louis City could surprise with a strong performance at home. Fans can expect an exciting match with potential for both teams to score and over 2.5 goals.