Orlando City vs. Columbus Crew – MLS, November 4, 2020

Orlando City welcomes Columbus Crew to Exploria Stadium on Wednesday, November 4, with the teams locked on 38 points in the Eastern Conference standings.

Both sides picked up wins on Sunday, securing a top-six place in the process. The teams will now be looking to gather some momentum as we approach the playoffs.

If you’re thinking about wagering on Wednesday’s MLS clash, maybe my Orlando City vs. Columbus Crew prediction and betting pick will help.

Remarkably, Orlando (2.10) has only lost one of their previous 15 games, so it is hardly surprising that the best online sportsbooks view the home side as the favorite to win this one.

Having said that, the odds for the home victory are very attractive. Columbus (3.00) managed just two wins in their last eight outings, so I was expecting the price for the away victory to be higher.

Daryl Dike was the hero for Orlando once again last time out. The 20-year-old scored for the third straight game on Sunday as the Lions beat Montreal Impact 1-0, taking his tally to seven goals in 16 appearances this term.

Orlando’s lengthy unbeaten streak was ended by Inter Miami two weekends ago, but the team has bounced back in style. After seeing off Atlanta United 4-1 last week, Oscar Pareja’s men put in a spirited performance to edge Montreal on Sunday.

Only first-place Philadelphia Union has netted more Eastern Conference goals than the Lions this season, while no team has lost fewer games in the division. Given their recent record, it’s fae to say that no one will want to face Orlando in the playoffs.

This man has been on a tear! @DarylDike is tonight's @Heineken_US Star of the Match ⭐ pic.twitter.com/hg5jnvAkkQ

— x – Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) November 2, 2020

It is no secret that October was a difficult period for Columbus. The Crew started the month by taking just a single point from a possible nine, before beating New York City 3-1. But after drawing with Houston Dynamo, the Black & Gold suffered a defeat to DC United last week.

However, Caleb Porter’s men finished the month on a high. Given their recent record, I don’t think many people expected Columbus to beat high-flying Philly. But goals from Krisztian Nemeth and Artur handed the Crew an impressive 2-1 victory over the Union on Sunday.

The win over Philadelphia proves that Columbus is still capable of beating the top teams in the division, although it is difficult to imagine the Ohio club beating Orlando. The Crew has been wildly unpredictable of late, while the Lions have been one of the most consistent sides this year.

Columbus produced an eye-catching performance to see off Philly last time out, although maintaining that kind of form against Orlando won’t be easy. The Lions have been almost unstoppable over the past couple of months, and I’m backing them to extend their winning streak.

Pareja will be desperate for his players to head into the postseason on a high, and I can see Orlando clinching a third straight victory on Wednesday.