Prediction: Philadelphia Union vs Toronto

Verdict: Draw or Toronto win

Best odds: 67/50

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Philadelphia Union will take on Toronto looking to get back into the play-offs quarter-final positions. The game will be played at Subaru Park Stadium where the local fans hope to wash away their disappointement following their team’s recent displays. 

Philadelphia Union

Failing to improve this season despite the high expectations, Philadelphia Union is under a new disappointing spell. Despite ranking 8th in the standings in a playoff position, the hosts left a bitter taste to their fans after winning only 4 games out of 14. Although the visitors have been defeated four times so far, the inability to finish off games, despite taking the lead on numerous occasions led to six stalemates that could prove decisive in the play-off battle.

Despite a full-throttle start which made the hosts’ fans dream of a top 4 finish following an extended run of 8 games unbeaten, the hosts’ end-of-April to mid-May slump took the team out of the podium battle. Failing to win a single match during this period (two draws and four defeats), Philadelphia started to drift towards the bottom of the table.

However, experienced manager Jim Curtis took his team back to winning ways putting an end to the slump with a spectacular win at New England that saw his players performing at another level without error (3-0 final score). Still, despite this revival and Philadelphia travelling to Charlotte on a high, the lack of accuracy in the opposition’s box led to a disappointing goalless stalemate.

Strangely enough, Philadelphia Union plays better on the road than at Subaru Park Stadium where the local fans were shocked to see their favourites drop the last four games. Despite playing accessible sides like Real Salt Lake, Seattle, Orlando and New York City the host inexplicably surrendered, leaving the visitors believing to pull an upset here.

Team News

Veteran goalkeeper Andre Blake sustained a knee injury that will see him out for a prolonged period. However, despite the recent home setbacks, coach Jim Curtis will use the same players who performed at a high level against New England and Charlotte. Prolific Hungarian midfielder Daniel Gazdag will aim to repeat his masterclass performance of scoring a pair against New England.

Toronto

Starting their campaign in the 3rd gear with a goalless stalemate at Cincinnati, Toronto built up momentum in the following two games by winning away at New England and dispatching Charlotte at home. Despite this excellent start that proved the visitor’s strong defensive output, a three-game losing streak had the Canadian side back to reality.

With 22 points gathered from 15 games, Toronto is well-positioned to keep their quarter-finals push. It has been obvious that head coach John Herdman has set up his team this season to play an all-in football not settling for a draw. With seven wins, one draw and seven defeats, a 12 bet is your best option to wager money on Toronto.

Despite impressing on many occasions in front of their fans, the visitors were disappointed in the games played on the road by securing a pair of wins in their seven outings. Defeating New England and Orlando City are the results that Toronto will look to replicate against Philadelphia and put behind the other four defeats suffered on the road.

Toronto failed to capitalize on the excellent home win against Montreal (5-1) by surrendering to Cincinnati in front of their fans in an exciting battle that saw the visitors edge Toronto (3-4 final results). This result leaves the hosts with a single win in their last four games, making them underdogs in the tricky away game at Philadelphia.

Team News

Central midfielder Brandon Servania is yet to feature for Toronto this season. The young American player has been recovering from a terrible cruciate ligament tear since September last year. Richie Laryea is sidelined with a hamstring injury that made him miss the start of this campaign. Experienced centre-back Shane O’Neill is accused of having tigh problems and will not feature against Philadelphia.

Key factors to consider

• Philadelphia Union’s home displays were disappointing after losing four out of five games played
• The hosts gave recovery signs lately by defeating New England and drawing away at Charlotte
• Toronto plays on the front foot scoring nine goals in the last two rounds
• The visitors lost all four games played at Subaru Park Stadium

Conclusion

Although Philadelphia Union is tipped as the clear favourite to edge Toronto, the visitor’s recent firepower display can upset the odds by hitting the hosts decisively on the break.

Verdict: Draw or Toronto win

Best odds: 67/50

Bookmaker: ZetBet