Toronto FC VS Columbus Match Prediction

  • Logo2016-07-31
  • Logo23:30:00
Toronto FC
VS
Columbus

Our Prediction Tip

Toronto FC will win this match.

The last four matches between Toronto and Columbus Crew have seen three draws. 

However, the head-to-head record between the teams in recent years falls slightly in favour of Columbus Crew, who have won 2-0 twice against Toronto in their last five games against this weekend's opposition. Last time out was a 1-1 draw, the goals coming from Jordan Hamilton and Harrison Afful, who was also the man of the match on the day.

%HEAD-TO-HEAD-STATS-BANNER%

Toronto FC v Columbus Crew: Prediction

The team coming into the game in a better run of form is certainly Toronto, with this match landing in a run of four straight games at home, an opportunity to climb the Eastern Conference table. With Giovinco taking his tally to the season for 11 goals with a hat-trick last weekend, Toronto should be looking to claim all three points here.

Toronto FC v Columbus Crew: Betting Tips

The hosts have been made the favourites by the bookmakers, with odds of evens surprisingly available for a Toronto win despite their convincing victory over DC United last time out. The visitors can be backed at 13/5, which looks poor value even at those odds, with the draw at around the 5/2 mark for this game. 

Columbus Crew have been conceding a lot of goals away from home recently, so over 2.5 goals at 5/6, while Giovinco is priced at evens to score any time.

Toronto FC remain in the play-off places despite a mediocre spell of form that has seen them win two of their last seven matches, although they thrashed DC United 4-1 last time out. There are therefore unlikely to be few changes from that win, although key midfielder Michael Bradley remains in the physio room and is not available for the first Trillium Cup meeting of the season.

Sebastian Giovinco hit a hat-trick in that win over DC United to continue his fine run of scoring form this season and he is the main man Columbus Crew will have to stop in this game.

Toronto FC likely XI:

Bono, Moor, Zavaleta, Beitashour, Morrow, Cheyrou, Chapman, Delgado, Giovinco, Endoh, Hamilton.

On a run of three draws in a run, Columbus Crew have doubts over the availability of Ben Swanson and Conor Casey, while Matt Pacifici and Gaston Sauro are definitely out.

To put an end to their eight-match winless sequence, Ola Kamara will have to step up to the plate and he scored from the spot last time out in a 2-2 draw against Orlando City, with Tony Tchani also getting his name on the scoresheet.

Columbus Crew likely XI:

Clark, Ashe, Wahl, Parkhurst, Afful, Mabwati, Tchani, Saeid, Meram, Trapp, Kamara.

Toronto may not be in the greatest of form, but Columbus Crew are second-bottom of the Eastern Conference so this should be a second successive win for Greg Vanney\'s men. If Giovinco can keep up his hot streak, it could be a very simple victory indeed.
Columbus have conceded at least three goals in their last three away matches.