Pacific FC vs Atletico Ottawa Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 17/05/2024

Odds via Tonybet

Pacific FC vs Atletico Ottawa. Shape of the Teams

The good news for fans is that this weekend’s fixtures kick off with one of the most exciting clashes. The Canadian Premier League (CPL) frontrunners will face each other, with leaders Atletico Ottawa travelling to Langford to face Pacific FC. In terms of form, neither side has the upper hand – both are unbeaten in the last five games, though two draws have slightly marred their clean record. 

Atletico Ottawa entered the season with sky-high expectations following a busy transfer window- investing in multiple star players. So far, this strategy seems to pay off, as the capital-based team has not suffered a single defeat, living up to the pre-season hype. 

Both Ottawa and Pacific are league leaders, but they can’t afford to rest on their laurels. The reigning champions, the inevitable Forge FC, have played one game less and a victory in their pending match would allow them to reclaim the throne.

Pacific FC presents an interesting case with their risk-averse strategy to climb the league table. The Langford-based team did not splash out in the transfer market. Instead, they count on their defence to win games. So far, this approach has worked out, and there are few teams that concede less than Pacific FC. 

This upcoming match will be interesting because it’s a clash between contrasting philosophies on how to possibly dethrone Forge FC.

Pacific FC vs Atletico Ottawa Main Match Info

• Date and Kickoff Time: Friday, May 17, 10:00 PM EDT
• Stadium: Westhills Stadium
• Location: Langford, Canada
• Last match: Atletico Ottawa vs Pacific FC: 0-0 (March 17, 2024, Canadian Championship)

Pacific FC vs Atletico Ottawa, Prediction, Odds

• Pick: Draw
• Odds: +245 (Tonybet)

Betting odds rarely favour a draw but often overlook the strategic nuances of a match. In the match between Pacific and Atletico, the two teams have contrasting philosophies on how soccer should be played. Fans already got a preview of what this encounter could look like – as they drew 0-0 a week ago in the Canadian Championship. 

Atletico Ottawa rarely sustains pressure, which could be their Achilles Heel. They rarely dominate large portions of the game. Instead, they prefer a 50/50 approach and rely on their attacking quartet. This strategy works in most cases but at the top level, games are decided by fine margins. Having better attackers does not guarantee victory against top-tier opposition.

Pacific FC, on the other hand, don’t mind folding back and hitting on the counter when the opponent least expects it. 

Ottawa has yet to find their desired attacking dynamics, while the hosts already have a well-defined game plan. This is common when teams have good players, but the coaching staff has not devised a cohesive strategy to fit all the puzzle pieces together. Another issue for Ottawa is that most of their stars are still young and, therefore, inconsistent. This is the main reason that they have been dropping points against well-organized defenses.

The biggest challenge, but also an opportunity, for Atletico Ottawa is to avoid overcommitting. Should they skip steps and play too vertically, they risk being caught on the counter – a scenario that favours Pacific FC’s approach. 

Atletico Ottawa needs to play horizontally – which means building their attack step by step rather than rushing forward. Pacific’s main weakness is their lack of defensive solidity under sustained pressure. 

They can defend in short bursts, but they lack the patience to maintain concentration throughout the game. This is a point that speaks to Ottawa’s advantage, who in the 1v1 on the wings could win the clash. However this requires patience – which has often been a question mark for Atletico Ottawa.

Pacific FC vs Atletico Ottawa Betting Tip

• Pick: Exact score: 1-1
• Odds: +500 (Tonybet) 

It is unlikely that we’ll see a repeat of the draw in the Canadian Championship – much more is at stake in this game, and both teams want to avoid dropping points to the benefit of Forge. 

At the same time, this game is not expected to turn into a goal-fest, as both teams will be cautious and eager to avoid taking unnecessary risks.

Disclaimer: Odds are accurate at the time of posting and subject to change. Please verify the latest odds on our platform before betting.

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