Kick-off: 1930 ET, 29/06/2022
Stadium: BMO Field
TV: TSN/ESPN+
Toronto surrendered an early lead when going down 2-1 at Columbus in March but the omens look good for them to gain revenge in front of their own fans.
The Reds have won the last three renewals of this fixture at BMO Field and have picked up 15 of this season’s 18 points at this venue.
We’re taking 2.6 for the hosts to prevail as our first Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew prediction.
Toronto FC Odds
Toronto did us a good turn when edging out Atlanta 2-1 here over the weekend, with all three of our selections successful in that match preview.
New star signing Lorenzo Insigne was there to watch on as Jonathan Osorio and Ralph Priso-Mbongue netted for the Reds.
Following a patchy period, when Bob Bradley opted to introduce some younger players, Toronto now look ready to kick on during the second half of the campaign.
“It’s a good time to get going,” said Osorio. “I think the guys that have been here for a while, the core guys, we know how important these summer months are in this league.
“Especially this stretch, with the amount of home games that we have. We understand the importance.”
This will be the second game of a four-match homestand and the Reds will be keen to capitalise, before Insigne and any other reinforcements are available next month.
Stretching back to last season, Toronto’s last eight MLS wins have all been on home turf!
Looking at the Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew odds, we reckon 4.5 for a home win and both teams to score is worth sticking with again.
Columbus Crew Odds
Columbus are alongside Toronto in the Eastern Conference table, level on points having played a game fewer, and boast a similar profile.
The Crew appear to be on an upward curve after a goalless stalemate at Real Salt Lake stretched their unbeaten run to three games.
They previously went into the international break buoyed by a 2-1 win at Atlanta and returned to action with a 1-1 home draw versus Charlotte.
Goals have not been easy to come by this term and the capture of Colombian forward Cucho Hernandez from Watford for a club-record fee of around $10million will help.
“If you look at the goals he scored, he’s quick and agile,” said president Tim Bezbatchenko. “His ability to create his own shot is an important factor for us.
“It’s one thing to have a traditional striker who can finish chances from service, but a priority for us was a player who can unbalance and destabilise the defence, find the extra few inches to get a shot off. He can do that.”
The 23-year-old must wait until next month to make his debut, though, and Columbus could be vulnerable here without him.
An away record of one win, five draws and two defeats shows the Crew are never easy to beat, but Toronto may just have the attacking firepower to shade this.
Let’s add 4.4 for a home win by any one-goal margin to our Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew betting tips.
Additional stats
Last result:
TORONTO 2-1 Atlanta – Jonathan Osorio, Ralph Priso-Mbongue
Real Salt Lake 0-0 COLUMBUS
Head-to-head: Columbus 2-1 Toronto, Columbus 2-1 Toronto, Toronto 2-0 Columbus, Toronto 3-1 Columbus
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