Prediction: New York Red Bulls vs Toronto FC

Verdict: New York Red Bulls win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Eastern Conference table, the New York Red Bulls will host Toronto in the early hours of Sunday.

New York Red Bulls

Starting with the hosts, after marking their return from a brief break with a flat display last weekend, there is no doubt that New York will be hoping for an immediate response here. Eventually getting hit with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Charlotte last time out, the Red Bulls must try and find some recent stability. However, despite booking their spot in the semi-finals of this year’s US Open Cup prior to the international break, Head Coach Gerhard Struber has seen his side win just a pair of their last six domestic showdowns. Nevertheless, still firmly battling it out at the top of the Eastern Conference and regarded to be a landslide pick to clinch another Final Series spot, the one-time Barnsley boss is looking for his side to kickstart their campaign this weekend. Despite opening Sunday’s meeting as a favourite with the bookmakers, New York have shown some extended issues at the back. On a run highlighted by an action-packed 3-3 draw against Chicago on May 18th, Struber’s men have mustered just a single clean sheet from their last nine outings.

Team News

Missing New York’s 2-0 loss against Charlotte, USA international Aaron Long is set to make his return here.

However, the Red Bulls are sweating over the fitness of Andres Reyes, Serge Ngoma and Cameron Harper this weekend.

Toronto FC

As for the visitors, last seen earlier in the month when claiming another Canadian Championship crown, Toronto will be desperate to keep up that momentum here. However, despite edging past little-known Forge thanks to a nail-biting penalties victory in Hamilton, Bob Bradley’s men are still scrapping it out at the wrong end of the Eastern Conference table. Nevertheless, while the Reds might know that they face a tough task on Sunday, it does appear that they have turned somewhat of a corner. Last seen on MLS duties landing an eye-catching 3-2 win against Chicago on home soil, the one-time Swansea boss finds his side enjoying a four-match unbeaten run across all formats. Although Toronto might be keen on springing an upset this weekend, it should be noted that they do hold a worrying record against the Red Bulls. Suffering a thumping 4-1 loss when they welcomed New York to BMO Field on March 5th, Sunday’s guests have failed to win any of their last six meetings against their Eastern Conference rivals, a run that stems back to 2019.

Team News

Picking up a blow against Chicago last time out, Jonathan Osorio is seen as a doubt here.

Despite managing to muster just a single goal from any of his last six MLS outings, Jesus Jimenez should still lead Toronto’s charge here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off at BMO Field on March 5th, New York picked up a thumping 4-1 victory.
• Likewise, Sunday’s hosts are unbeaten in each of their last six meetings against Toronto, a run that stems back to 2019.
• Toronto are unbeaten in each of their last four matchups across all formats, including three straight victories.
• New York have managed to muster just a single clean sheet from their last nine domestic appearances.
• Four of the last five meetings between Sunday’s opponents have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While we do expect New York to make an immediate return to winning ways here, don’t be surprised to see another lively affair. Although the Red Bulls might be seen as a landslide pick, Sunday’s hosts have continued to show some rather worrying issues at the back. With just a single clean sheet to their name from any of their last nine appearances, chances could come thick and fast when the MLS makes its return from the international break. Although Toronto might have managed to find a much-needed boost after claiming another Canadian Championship crown, they will face a real task here. Likewise, hit with a 4-1 loss when they welcomed New York to BMO Field back in March, we’re backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: New York Red Bulls win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet