Atlanta United FC vs Orlando City SC Picks and Prediction – 11/24/2024

Orlando City SC hosts Atlanta United FC on Sunday in an MLS Eastern Conference semifinal match in the MLS Cup playoffs. Orlando City defeated FC Cincinnati in its best-of-three series by winning the third and final match on penalties. Orlando was able to level the final match 12 minutes into stoppage time to send the match into extra time followed by penalties. Keep up to date with all the soccer action, with our expert soccer picks.

Orlando City has won seven of the previous eight fixtures at home versus MLS opponents and conceded one goal or less in each of those seven victories. Orlando City has never lost a fixture during the postseason at home when scoring first. Orlando City will be without Mason Stajduhar who has a leg injury. Facundo Torres leads the line for Orlando City and Pedro Gallese is the all-important goalkeeper for the Lions.

Atlanta United pulled off the biggest surprise in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs when defeating star-studded Inter Miami CF in three matches. Atlanta United lost the opening match of that series but won the second and third to move on to the semifinals. A victory on Sunday would make the first time that Atlanta United has won three consecutive MLS encounters this season.

Including the postseason, Atlanta is unbeaten in each of its last eight MLS fixtures in which they have scored multiple times. Atlanta, under the tutelage of manager Gonzalo Pineda, relies on sitting deep, limiting opponents' shots, and scoring in the few opportunities they receive. Atlanta scored three goals versus Miami in the final match while possessing the ball just 35% of the time.

Atlanta United will not find as many gaps behind the line against Orlando City as they did versus Inter Miami. Orlando City has played extremely well down the stretch and will be on its home pitch where the Lions excel when scoring more than once, winning seven of the last eight fixtures in that situation in league play. Orlando City will win this semifinal fixture and move on to the Eastern Conference final. Final Score Prediction, Orlando City SC wins 2-1.