Preview: Orlando City vs. Toronto - prediction, team news, lineups

Orlando City will look to extend their unbeaten start to the Major League Soccer season on Sunday, when they welcome Toronto to Florida.

The Lions have kicked their campaign off with two victories and three draws to move into second spot in the Eastern Conference, and they will aim to make it six games without a defeat on Sunday.

Match preview

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Orlando City come into this game on the back of their second victory of the MLS season, as they defeated DC United 1-0 away from home on Monday.

Mauricio Pereyra found the net in the seventh minute of the game, and Oscar Pareja's side held on for an impressive clean sheet to seal all three points.

That followed a 1-1 draw with third-placed New York City FC and a comfortable 3-0 victory over FC Cincinnati, as Tesho Akindele scored inside the first minute before Nani and Junior Urso both found the net to seal a comfortable win.

After a strong start to the season with nine points from their opening five matches, the Lions find themselves in third spot in the Eastern Conference having played a game fewer than league leaders New England Revolution, who sit just two points ahead.

That is largely down to their solid defensive record, with Pareja's men having only conceded two goals in their first five matches, while they will look to improve on their attacking threat, having netted six goals in that time.

They will look to add a second straight victory on Sunday to potentially move to the summit of the division, extending their unbeaten run in the process.

The Florida outfit welcome a Toronto side who have had a slow start to the domestic season, with five points from their first five fixtures.

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After a poor start to the campaign with two defeats and a draw from the opening three matches, Chris Armas's side come into Sunday's match with some form having picked up four points from their last two matches.

The Reds firstly recorded their opening victory of the league season with a 2-0 win over Columbus Crew at home, as Michael Bradley opened the scoring early on before Jozy Altidore doubled their lead in the dying minutes to secure the three points.

Armas's men then picked up a commendable point against third-placed New York City, as Jacob Shaffelburg found the net in the 74th minute to earn a point for his side after Jesus Medina gave the hosts the lead early in the second half.

The Canadian outfit will now look to ensure that they put their slow start behind them and build a solid run on the back of two impressive results, starting with what would be an eye-catching victory on Sunday against the unbeaten Lions.

Team News

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Orlando City will remain without Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato through injury, while Uri Rosell and David Loera will also continue spells on the sidelines.

Tesho Akindele should continue to lead the line with the support of Mauricio Pereyra, who netted the winner last time out, and Nani, who has scored three goals in the first five games of the season.

At the other end of the pitch, Rodrigo Schlegel and Antonio Carlos should continue their solid centre-back pairing, having kept three clean sheets so far this season.

Toronto will come into this game without Ifunanyachi Achara, Julian Dunn and Alejandro Pozuelo, with all three being absent since the start of the season.

Winger Erickson Gallardo will also miss out through a groin injury, while left-back Justin Morrow is also expected to continue his spell out of action.

Jacob Shaffelburg will hope that his equaliser off the bench last time out is enough to earn him a starting spot on Sunday, as he aims to come into the forward line alongside the likes of Altidore.

Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Smith, Schlegel, Carlos, Moutinho; Mendez, Urso; Nani, Pereyra, Michel; Akindele

Toronto possible starting lineup:
Bono; Laryea, Mavinga, Gonzalez, Lawrence; Auro, Bradley; Shaffelburg, Altidore, Soteldo; Akinola

We say: Orlando City 1-1 Toronto

Both sides have displayed positive signs coming into this game, and we expect them to share the points in Florida.

While Toronto had a disappointing start to the campaign, they have since bounced back with two commendable results, and should be a match for an Orlando City side who will look to continue their unbeaten run.