PHILADELPHIA UNION have been sliding down the table in the MLS after a promising start and will be desperate to build some momentum again when they host Toronto.
Jim Curtin's side flew out of the traps by going unbeaten in their first seven games but then went on dismal run that saw them win just one of their next eight.
Things have picked up a bit of late with a 3-0 win over New England followed by a stalemate with Charlotte in their last outing so they will take a bit of confidence into the clash with Toronto.
The Canadian side sit four points ahead of Philly in the Eastern Conference and have blown hot and cold, with seven wins and seven losses across their 15 games.
Toronto were sitting bottom of the table when John Herdman took over last year but the Englishman has done a superb job turning things round.
Herdman steered Canada to the World Cup finals in his last job and will be out to boost his credentials further back at club level by leading his team to the play-offs.
How the bookies view it: Union backed to get the job done
Philadelphia's recent revival makes them 4/7 favourites with home advantage at Bet365. Toronto are 19/4 for just a second away win all season and the draw pays 14/5.
Recent head to head: Home comforts a big factor
Home advantage has been a big factor in this fixture of late, with all but one of the last eight meetings ending in tears for the visiting side. Union won 4-2 in Philadelphia last season before Toronto got their revenge with a 3-1 victory in Canada.
Players to watch: Philly cooking with Gaz
Hungarian midfielder Daniel Gazdag has been in magnificent form for Philadelphia, scoring eight times in just 13 appearances this term. He's 7/5 for anytime scorer in this one while Bet365 also offer 11/8 on him having over 1.5 efforts on target.
Former Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne is seeing out his career in America and is far from past his best at the age of just 32. He scored his third of the season from the spot on Sunday and looks overpriced at 3/1 for another goal.
Probable line-ups
Philadelphia Union look set to without Andre Blake, Isaiah LeFlore and Holden Trent once more. Richie Laryea is a doubt for Toronto while Shane O’Neill and Brandon Servania should miss out again.
Philadelphia Union: Semmle, Elliott, Glesnes, Harriel, Wagner, Martinez, Gazdag, Bedoya, Flach, Uhre, Carranza.
Toronto: Johnson, Gomis, Rosted, Petretta, Marshall-Rutty, Matty Longstaff, Spicer, Flores, Osorio, Insigne, Owusu.
Anything else catch the eye?
These sides played out two thrillers last season, with an average of five goals across the two meetings, and the stats point towards another exciting game. Toronto lost 4-3 to Cincinnati in their last outing after battering Montreal 5-1 while BTTS and over 2.5 goals have landed in seven of the last nine for Union.
Given those results, I would have thought combining BTTS and over 2.5 goals would still be in odds-against territory but it's available at evens with Bet365 and that looks great value.
Over 1.5 first-half goals also looks good at 11/8 with that bet landing in the last four meetings of these teams.
This MLS match between Philadelphia Union and Toronto will be played on May 30, 2024 and kick off at 00:30. Check below for our tipsters best Philadelphia Union vs Toronto prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
