Orlando City vs Cruz Azul Prediction and Betting Tips | August 9th 2024

Orlando City and Cruz Azul square off at the Inter & Co Stadium in the round of 32 of the Leagues Cup on Friday. Both sides head into the game off the back of contrasting results in the group stages, with Oscar Pareja’s men winning their two games in Group M.

Orlando City picked up a nervy penalty-shootout victory over Atletico San Luis in the Group M finale last weekend after a 1-1 stalemate with the Mexican side.

This followed an emphatic 3-1 win over CF Montreal in the group opener on July 27 as Pareja’s side kicked off their quest for a first Leagues Cup title in style.

Orlando City will look to surpass their cup run from last season when they suffered a round-of-32 exit at the hands of eventual champions Inter Miami.

Cruz Azul, on the other hand, booked their spot in the knockout stages courtesy of a penalty-shootout victory over Philadelphia Union in Group O on Sunday.

Before that, Martin Anselmi’s men were beaten on penalties by Charlotte FC in the group opener on August 1 following a goalless draw with the MLS side in normal time.

Like Friday's hosts, Cruz Azul were also dumped out of the 2023-24 Leagues Cup in the round of 16 after losing to Charlotte on penalties.

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Orlando City vs Cruz Azul Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

• This will be the first-ever meeting between Orlando City and Cruz Azul, who will both be aiming to begin their rivalry on a winning note.
• Orlando City have won all but one of their last eight games in all competitions, with a 1-1 draw against New York City FC on July 21 being the exception.
• Cruz Azul are unbeaten in seven of their most recent eight matches, picking up six wins and one draw since late June.
• Orlando City have gone five straight home games without defeat across all competitions, claiming four wins and one draw since a 3-1 loss to Los Angeles FC on June 16.

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Orlando City vs Cruz Azul Prediction

Having scraped through the group stages, Cruz Azul now face the daunting challenge of taking on an Orlando City side who have made their home turf a fortress of late.

That said, we are tipping the MLS outfit to continue from where they left off in the group stages and secure the win.

Prediction: Orlando City 3-1 Cruz Azul

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Orlando City vs Cruz Azul Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result - Orlando City to win

Tip 2: First-half winners - Orlando City (The MLS side have led at halftime in five of their last seven games)

Tip 3: Both sides to score - Yes (Both sides have scored in eight of Orlando City’s last 10 matches)