Two top teams in the Eastern Conference lock horns on Saturday night as third-placed Toronto FC travel to Ohio to take on the Columbus Crew as both squads try to fortify their hold on playoff spots with the postseason not far off.
This promises to be a offensively-charged affair with Toronto’s Michael Bradley facing off with the Crew’s leading scorer Federico Higuain.
With the European soccer season kicking off in two weeks (see our preview of the Premier League here), soccer action is aplenty once again. Read on for our preview of this important Eastern Conference matchup to keep up with all the happenings in the MLS.
[sc:Soccer ]Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew, Major League Soccer, Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
When: Saturday, August 9, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Toronto FC (+255) at Columbus Crew (-113), tie (+235); total – 2.5 – see all MLS lines
Betting on Toronto FC
Toronto FC put their horrible July behind them as they finally got their playoff bid back on track by recording a crucial 2-0 away win against Canadian rivals Montreal Impact last Saturday.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Goals from Gilberto and Luke Moore sealed the win for Toronto who snapped a two-game losing streak and moved to third in the Eastern team standings with 29 points. Toronto was able to overcome the absence of leading scorer Jermain Defoe who was out due to a groin injury as U.S. national team member Michael Bradley stepped up to the plate to provide the necessary leadership for the club.
Bradley, as he always does, was all over the place against Montreal as he supplied the two assists to Gilberto and Moore. With Defoe confirmed out for two to three weeks, there is added pressure for Bradley to lead Toronto in these crucial stages as they seek to enter the playoffs for the very first time in their franchise history.
Fortunately for Toronto, striker Bright Dike is about to make his long-awaited return to the field after tearing his Achilles tendon back in February. He has already resumed training and is a game-time decision for their next match against Columbus.
Toronto’s away record recently has been disappointing. Prior to the win against Montreal, they were winless on the road for three months, losing twice and drawing four times.
Toronto is 3-2 in their last five games against Columbus.
Betting on the Columbus Crew
The resurgent Columbus Crew have barged into the playoff picture after they held the Chicago Fire to a 1-1 draw in their game last Saturday to stretch their unbeaten run to three.
Federico Higuain, the Crew’s leading scorer this season with eight goals, was once again the hero as he banged in a second half equalizer to rescue a point against the Fire and preserve their fifth-place standing in the Eastern Conference.
In fact, the battle for the Eastern Conference playoff spots is tighter than ever with four teams within reach of each other as they scramble for the final three places in the postseason.
In their last three games, it’s the Crew’s stingy defense that has proven to be the difference. They have allowed just a goal apiece in those three matches as they continued their magnificent defensive form where they are the third-best defensive unit in the Eastern Conference with 28 goals allowed this campaign.
Leading the Crew on the defensive end is their captain Michael Parkhurst. His leadership will prove to be valuable as we enter the final stages of the regular season. Joining him at the back are Costa Rican natives Waylon Francis and Giancarlo Gonzales who have just returned to the side after suiting up for Costa Rica at the World Cup.
These teams have met twice this season with Toronto winning both encounters. In their last meeting at Crew Stadium, Toronto FC pulled off an easy 2-0 victory as an early Michael Bradley goal and a strike from Issey Nakajima-Farran ensured the Canadian outfit got all three points.
Writer’s Prediction
The Crew’s momentum will help them avoid the sweep against Toronto as they leapfrog the Canadian side into third place. Create a betting account now and cash in on the latest MLS games.
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