Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Major League Soccer clash between Orlando City and CF Montreal, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Looking to pick up a third consecutive MLS victory, Orlando City welcome CF Montreal to the Exploria Stadium on Thursday.

On the other hand, the visitors make the journey in search of what would be only their fourth away triumph all-season long.

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Match preview

Orlando City eased past FC Cincinnati in a narrow 1-0 victory at the TQL on Sunday to end a nine-game winless run on the road.

The contest was decided in the 13th minute when Junior Urso netted his fourth goal of the campaign to hand Oscar Pareja's men all three points.

While the Lions remain fourth in the Eastern Conference, they have now closed the gap on second-placed Nashville SC to three points.

Next up for them is a clash versus an opposing side who they have beaten in four of the last five meetings between the teams.

However, Thursday's hosts suffered a 4-2 defeat - the second of a four-game losing streak - in the most recent encounter last month and will be keen to get one over their visitors this time around.

CF Montreal had to settle for a share of the spoils in their clash versus Philadelphia Union on Saturday, which ended 2-2.

Wilfried Nancy's men took the lead in the 33rd minute through Matko Miljevic but found themselves behind thanks to a second-half own goal from James Pantemis and a Kai Wagner strike, only for Sunusi Ibrahim to restore parity in the final minute of added time.

The Impact have dropped to seventh in the Eastern Conference and are now just a point above the chasing pack in the race for the last playoff spot.

Having lost half of their 14 games on the road this term, Thursday's visitors need to get going on their travels to avoid missing out in the postseason.

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Team News

Montreal's duo of Robert Thorkelsson and Ahmed Hamdi are down with groin injuries and will play no part in this one.

The visitors will also be without the services of Mason Toye and Aljaz Struna who are out with shoulder and calf problems respectively.

Robin Jansson has found the back of the net in each of his last two home appearances for the hosts and will be looking to come up trumps once again.

Alexandre Pato was an unused substitute last time out, as the Brazilian continues to be eased slowly into action following his recent recovery from injury.

Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Mas, Jansson, Antonio, Ruan; Urso, Perea, Pereyra; Nani, Dike, Mueller

CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Pantemis; Miller, Camacho, Waterman; Choiniere, Piette, Maciel, Brault-Guillard; Torres, Mihailovic, Miljevic

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We say: Orlando City 2-1 CF Montreal

Orlando City have dominated this fixture in recent years and will fancy themselves to come away with all three points against their visitors, who have been dire away from home this term. We are tipping the home side to come out on top but only after they have been pushed all the way.

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