MATCH PREVIEW
Toronto FC were irate at the conclusion of their match against Philadelphia. The club felt that striker Jozy Altidore was fouled inside the penalty area late in the match but were not awarded a penalty kick. Toronto FC played the entire match with passion and intensity and Altidore had earlier hit the post.
Toronto will be happy to have Orlando come in. Orlando are one of the weaker sides in the league and Toronto need points to stay atop the Eastern Conference table. If striker Altidore and midfielder Michael Bradley control their parts of the field, Toronto should be able to have the better of possession and will get some good looks on goal.
Orlando meanwhile have been steamrolled over the last several weeks. After an encouraging win at Montreal, few could have predicted that the bottom would have fallen out of the club. Orlando manager Jason Kreis took over in July, training sessions intensified and the team played better, but perhaps he took the intensity too far.
This team looks fatigued. Giving up four goals in three consecutive matches is not simply a product of poor play but also of fatigue. And now Orlando have to travel to Toronto and face one of the best sides in MLS. Orlando’s only hope is to get an early goal and hope that gives them life and takes it away from Toronto FC.
Toronto FC are determined to not just make the playoffs, which they have, but to make a run at MLS Cup. Beating an opponent like Orlando is necessary to show how serious they are at that.
Toronto FC will win the match comfortably.
Reason For Betting Tips
Toronto FC missed out on the chance to construct a lead at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference at the weekend when they only managed a 1-1 draw at home to Philadelphia Union.
This leaves the MLS Supporters Shield hopefuls 3rd in the Eastern Conference table, only behind the two New York clubs above them on goal difference. They have a game in hand on both of these teams, but they are five points adrift of Western Conference leaders FC Dallas with a game in hand. There’s still a lot of work to do in their final four games before they can lay their hands on the trophy.
Toronto FC aren’t in the best shape to be fighting for the title either. Their draw at the weekend made it just one win from their last four games, and they are now without a win in three straight home matches in the MLS. Prior to that they had won five in a row though, so the danger is definitely there, but without Sebastian Giovinco they seem to struggle.
Orlando City are in a torrid spell of form though. They lost 4-1 at DC United at the weekend to make it three defeats in a row. They have conceded four goals in each of these games, and as such, they have slipped behind in the race for the MLS playoffs.
The visitors are currently in 8th position, three points adrift of the top six and with just four games remaining to play. They really need to turn their poor form around if they want to lay claim to one of the top six spots.
This awful defensive form isn’t just contained to the last few weeks. They have been pretty torrid at the back all season, conceding over two per away game on average and keeping just one clean sheet in their last 14 games on the road. Fortunately for them they have managed to score in six of their last seven though. Six of these seven games have seen at least three goals as well.
Toronto FC have conceded in six of their last nine at home too, and considering their visitors’ torrid back line, I think odds of 10/11 for Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams to Score are good value. I’m going for a 3-1 win for the hosts at 10/1 for my correct score prediction as well.
Head To Head
Toronto FC have won four, drawn one, and lost one of their six meetings with Orlando City.
Stats
Orlando City have seen both teams score in 73% of their away games this season and had Over 2.5 Goals in 80% of their away matches.
Team News
Full back duo Astone Morgan and Mark Bloom are out injured, as is left midfielder Jay Chapman, striker Tosaint Rickets, and top scorer Sebastian Giovinco.
Orlando City are hoping to be free from injury for this one.
Toronto FC
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Giovinco (quadriceps), Ricketts (groin)
Injured/Unavailable: Morgan (foot)
Orlando City SC
Suspended: Nocerino
Doubtful: Higuita (hamstring)
Injured/Unavailable: Aja (concussion)
