Orlando City roll into Charlotte looking to repeat April's goal fest

Halloween in Charlotte could get spooky for the home fans if Orlando City's attack shows up anything like it did back in April, when they hung four goals on the hosts in a 5-goal thriller. That wasn't a fluke—these two sides play the kind of wide-open soccer that makes the over bettors salivate.

Orlando's averaging nearly two goals per game this season while conceding over two, which tells you everything about their defensive priorities. Charlotte isn't much tighter, leaking 1.5 per contest while chipping in 1.84 themselves. Recent form screams goals: Orlando's last five matches have seen them score 2.8 per game while allowing 2.0, and Charlotte's sitting at 2.4 for, 2.0 against in that same span.

The underlying numbers back it up. Orlando's xG profile projects around 1.7 goals created per match, while Charlotte's expected goals against sits at 1.78—meaning the visitors should find joy in transition. Add Charlotte's own attacking output to the equation, and you're looking at a match that could easily eclipse four combined tallies.

DarkHorse likes over 4.0 goals here with moderate confidence, and it's hard to argue. Both teams defend like they've got dinner reservations at 9 PM. Expect fireworks in the Queen City.