Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami CF Odds & Prediction – MLS Aug 4

• Orlando City SC hosts Inter Miami on Wednesday evening as the two teams contest the second Florida derby of the season
• The Lions registered a 2-1 victory in the first encounter between the teams back in June, while they split four games last year in Miami’s first MLS season
• Read on for a preview, full odds and a best bet for this Eastern Conference clash taking place on Wednesday, August 4th

Based purely on the Supporters’ Shield standings, Wednesday’s Eastern Conference clash between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami shouldn’t be much of a contest. Orlando City is currently second in the East and fifth overall in Major League Soccer with 28 points, 16 more than Inter Miami, which is currently propping up the other 26 MLS teams in last place overall.

But predicting a match result based on the standings is a dicey proposition in many soccer leagues, and especially in MLS, which just this past weekend saw the lowly San Jose Earthquakes end a 14-game winless run against the Western Conference-leading Seattle Sounders.

Orlando City vs Inter Miami Odds

Odds as of August 3rd at DraftKings

Derby Day In Florida

The introduction of Inter Miami as an expansion team before the 2020 season reawakened an intrastate Florida derby for the first time since the demise of the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion following the 2001 season. And, like many a good derby, this one has so far been defined by just how evenly matched the two teams have been.

#NERevs looking strong at the top! 💪 pic.twitter.com/RzRO2A2eES

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2021

In five derbies between the sides, Orlando has won three, with Miami claiming the other two. And the goals have been pretty evenly divided between the teams as well, with Orlando scoring nine and Miami eight.

Orlando can take a small measure of comfort though in the fact that it has won the only derby played at Exploria Stadium – the venue for Wednesday night’s game – 2-1 last September. And it took the first matchup between the sides this season as Chris Mueller and Nani both found the net in a 2-1 Orlando win at DRV Pink Stadium back in June.

Nani Finds His Groove

Former Manchester United attacker Nani has found a sweet spot in the MLS schedule when it comes to playing Inter Miami. In five games, Nani has registered a team-high three goals and two assists, as well as registering a series-high 17 shots, eight of which were on target.

1⃣ Goal
1⃣ Assist
3⃣ Points@luisnani's game-winning goal earns him Player of the Week honors. pic.twitter.com/zJh86l2G5p

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2021

Not that Nani needs much of an invitation to dominate an opponent this season. The former Portugal international has eight goals in the 2021 season, leaving him tied for fifth in the Golden Boot race, to go along with five assists.

Orlando City Soaring

Fresh off their first-ever playoff appearance last fall, the Lions have refused to quieten their roar in 2021. Orlando lost just one of its first 10 games to open the season, and though it suffered a downturn in fortunes in early July, City has won two of its last three games, including a 3-2 win against Atlanta last Friday.

Nani set up the first goal before scoring the winner late on to earn MLS player-of-the-week honors.

Orlando City vs Inter Miami Key Stats

Missing In Miami

Given that Phil Neville’s team lost six straight over a two-month period between May and July, the team’s recent two-game unbeaten run is not to be sniffed at. The Herons managed a draw at home to the reigning Supporters’ Shield winner, the Philadelphia Union, before registering just their third win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Montreal at DRV Pink Stadium last weekend.

Key to the recent revival has been the play of designated player Gonzalo Higuain. The former Real Madrid striker scored both goals against Montreal and set up the lone goal against Philadelphia. The Argentine forward now has seven goals on the season.

There are concerns in defense, however, with center-back Leandro Gomez suspended for this match, and Joevin Jones and Ian Frey out injured.

Best bet: Draw (+340)