Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew: Preview and Prediction

By

 Aron Wright

Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew:
MLS Regular Season,
Date: Monday, 1-August-2016,
Kick-off: 00:30 UK,
Venue: BMO Field (Toronto, Ontario).

Sebastian Giovinco stole the limelight at the BMO Field as Toronto thrashed DC United 4-1 in their last round match. This is the biggest win for the Reds in the current MLS season and they will be looking to grab back-to-back wins in-order to strengthen the play-off hopes in the final quarter of the season.

Toronto are currently 5th in the Eastern Conference table with 7 wins, 6 draws and 7 losses from 20 matches. They best play at home where they are unbeaten in 7 of the 8 matches played so far, with 4 wins and 3 draws.

Columbus Crew are struggling and find themselves 9th at the foot of the MLS Eastern Conference table with 19 points from 20 matches. They are ahead of the bottom-most side Chicago Fire, but they played 1 game less than Crew FC.

Crew FC haven’t won a match in their last 8 outings and remain with 1 win from their last 13 games. Their last three results are draws, but each of those came in front of the home fans. They haven’t won a match away from home all season and are coming on the back of three consecutive defeats.

Toronto FC: Team News

Jozy Altidore is a long term absentee for the Reds who is out with a hamstring injury.

While head-coach Greg Vanney is struggling on the fitness of Michael Bradley, Will Johnson and Ashtone Morgan.

Toronto FC: Expected Starting Eleven (4-4-2)

Irwin – Morrow, Moor, Perquis, Beitashour – Delgado, Johnson, Cheyrou, Osorio – Endoh, Giovincio.

Columbus Crew: Team News

Conor Casey and Gaston Sauro are carrying knocks and the duo are likely to miss on the team sheet against Toronto FC.

Columbus Crew: Expected Starting Eleven (4-2-3-1)

Clark – Francis, Wahl, Parkhurst, Afful – Saeid, Trapp – Meram, Higuain, Meram – Kamara.

Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew: Head-to-Head Stats

• The teams had already met twice this season with both games ending in stalemates. They played out a 0-0 stalemate at BMO Field on May 2016 and a 1-1 draw in the latest meeting at Columbus.
• Columbus Crew will head into this match on the back of a 5-match unbeaten run against Toronto, courtesy of 2 wins and 3 draws.
• Toronto FC have a poor home record against Columbus after managing just 2 wins from 12 meetings, drawing 6 and losing 4.
• Four of the last five matches between them witnessed under 2.5 goals.

Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew: Prediction

If you look at the overall form of both sides, Toronto are doing pretty well and Columbus are struggling on all corners. Moreover, Toronto are unbeaten in their last 6 home matches and Columbus are yet to win an away game this season. This put Toronto as clear favourites to get a win here.

At the same time Columbus had done well against Toronto in the past meetings and held them to draws in the two matches this season. So it is a good option to back Toronto on a double chance than backing them for a straight win.

Columbus are leaking goals away from home, but Toronto have scored more than 1 goal only once in the last 6 home games. I believe this one will see under 2.5 goals

Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew: Tips

1. Double Chance – Toronto/Draw.
2. Under 2.5 goals.