Charlotte FC vs. Toronto FC MLS Preview and Prediction
Ninth plays 10th in an Eastern Conference dogfight when Charlotte FC hosts Toronto FC for another exciting MLS matchweek. Toronto have a game in hand, so three points here would be huge for holding an early playoff spot. Meanwhile, Charlotte need the points to extend the gap over their opponents, as they currently lead by just one point.
Strap in for week 14 of MLS soccer and tune into kickoff Saturday at 7:30 pm ET.
Charlotte FC vs. Toronto FC MLS Odds and Betting Trends
This will be the ninth matchup between the two expansion teams since 2022, and Charlotte lead the overall head-to-head record with four wins to Toronto’s three. There’s only been a single draw in this fixture, while all but one of the other results have concluded with one side failing to score.
Charlotte are considerable home favourites on the MLS odds in this clash at -130, while Toronto take the underdog spot at +310. This one could see a draw occur at +290, while over 2.5 goals is the more likely option on the total.
Charlotte FC
Charlotte haven’t seen a victory in their last six matchups across all competitions now, which includes their Round of 16 US Open Cup departure on April 28. They did, however, face tougher competition, including the likes of first-place Nashville, third-place Revolution and fifth-place NYCFC, which can partially explain their recent struggling results. Their real saving grace for this matchup is that they’ve only lost two home games so far, both to formidable opponents (Nashville and NYCFC) by just one goal. The team hovers around a neutral goal differential of -2 despite six losses.
Charlotte’s star signing, Wilfried Zaha, takes the top anytime goalscoring spot for this matchup at +110 after netting two of the team’s 20 goals this season. Idan Toklomati follows his teammate at +120 after securing four goals this season, along with Liel Abada at +125 – the team’s leading goalscorer with six.
Toronto FC
Toronto are in a similar spot to their opponents this weekend, failing to win a game in all competitions for the last seven straight – although they’ve drawn four of those matches in the MLS. Much like last season, the Canadian side has pulled through much of this year by tying results, a product of their 24 goals allowed – the fourth-highest count in the East. The team now experiences a big switch-up in scenery after playing nine of its last 12 matches at home, as Toronto’s first three road matches resulted in a 1-2 record with just three goals to show for. Toronto match their opponents’ goal count (20) with a similar overall goal differential (-4), which should make things interesting for this scrappy middle-table matchup.
Much of Toronto’s scoring is split between a variety of players, while Daniel Salloi – set to score at +350 tonight – leads the squad with four so far. However, it’s striker Josh Sargeant who takes up the team’s highest likely goalscoring spot for this one at +200 after netting two goals in his seven matches played. Other than those two, who account for just six of the team’s 20 goals, DeAndre Kerr will look for his first of the season at +220.
MLS Prediction: Who Will Win Charlotte FC vs. Toronto FC?
Toronto have reached a much higher goal average in their last five games, but they are failing to stay ahead and close out results. After getting used to their home turf for nine straight matches, they may struggle to adapt to the Bank of America Stadium pitch.
Charlotte’s misfortunes in recent games are much more understandable, as two of their losses came from the frontrunners of Nashville, and the other two losses came from two of the top five teams. They may have failed to score in two of their league home games so far (a loss and a draw), but they have had two separate occasions (including the US Open Cup) where they’ve netted six.
All things considered, including Charlotte’s respectable home field advantage and Toronto adjusting to their first away game since March 8, go with a 2-1 Charlotte victory here, which cashes the over 2.5 at -162 odds as well.