NYCFC’s poor away form continued last time out, as they were beaten 1-0 by the only side in the entire MLS that had yet to win a home game this season, CF Montreal.
Whilst Pascal Jansen’s hosts have won just once on their travels this season (W1-D4-L4), they have performed way better at home, winning seven of their 10 matches on home soil (W7-D0-L3), including a 4-0 thrashing of Atlanta United in their previous home clash.
Toronto claimed just their fourth MLS victory of the campaign last time out, as they defeated the Portland Timbers 3-0 at BMO Field.
Despite that home success, Robin Fraser’s visitors have struggled more at home than they have on their travels, with The Reds unbeaten in each of their previous three road trips, winning the last two 0-1 at Real Salt Lake and thrashing Canadian rivals CF Montreal 1-6.
How the bookies view it: Pigeons favourite to pick up three points
New York City FC are favourites to pick up three points here, with BoyleSports pricing them at 4/7.
A third consecutive away success for Toronto is 15/4 with the same firm, whilst the draw is 14/5.
Head to head: Six on the bounce for The Boys in Blue?
This is a fixture NYCFC have had plenty of success in in recent times, with The Boys in Blue winning each of their previous five meetings with Toronto, including a 0-1 victory at BMO Field in the reverse fixture back in April.
The Pigeons have also won each of their last four at home against Toronto, scoring 2+ goals in each victory (5-4, 5-0, 3-0 & 2-1), and a repeat here pays 10/11 at BoyleSports.
Players to watch: Wolf on the hunt for another goal
Hannes Wolf is NYCFC’s joint-leading scorer in MLS this term, notching on eight occasions. Five of those goals have come across his last three matches, scoring three in his past two at home, and he is an appealing 15/8 at BoyleSports to net anytime.
Theo Corbeanu has netted in both of their previous two away victories at Real Salt Lake and CF Montreal, and he is 10/3 at BoyleSports to score for the third consecutive away match.
Predicted line-ups:
Pascal Jansen will once again be without Goalkeeper Matt Freese, who is still at the Gold Cup with the USA, whilst Malachi Jones and Jacob Arroyave are out injured.
Toronto will be without Italian duo Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi after both parted ways on mutual consent at the beginning of the week.
New York City FC: Romero, Tanasijevic, Martins, Haak, Risa, Perea, Moralez, Shore, Fernandez, Wolf, Bakrar
Toronto FC: Johnson, Thompson, Long, Rosted, Petretta, Coello, Dominguez, Longstaff, Corbeanu, Spicer, Brynhildsen
Anything else catch the eye?
As alluded to, New York City FC are strong at home, winning seven of their 10 MLS encounters on home soil this campaign and tend to do well in this fixture, winning each of their last five across all venues and their previous four at home against The Reds.
However, Toronto have been decent on the road this season, finding the back of the net in all bar one of their opening seven road trips, scoring on 12 occasions.
Whilst I fancy the hosts to eventually come out on top in this clash, the 4/5 on offer at Bet365 and William Hill on both teams scoring also appeals.
GambleAware