Toronto FC VS. FC Cincinnati MLS Preview and Prediction
A resurgent Toronto FC side hosts struggling FC Cincinnati on Saturday at BMO Field at 1 p.m. ET.
After a slow start, Toronto has come alive in front of its fans, going 2-0-1 at home over the past few weeks. Recent acquisition Josh Sargent scored the go-ahead goal in the 85th minute as Toronto knocked off Colorado last week, pulling points from a home match for the third time in 21 days.
Cincinnati is struggling mightily on the road. In their last four away matches, including at Tigres in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the club has been outscored 16-4 while suffering four consecutive defeats. That includes a 4-2 setback against the Red Bulls in New York last week. Pavel Bucha and Kevin Smith scored, but Cincinnati allowed at least four goals on the road for the third time in four games.
Toronto FC vs. FC Cincinnati Odds and Betting Trends
The hosts are decided favourites at +115 on the MLS odds, while FC Cincinnati is available as an underdog at +220. The draw is +260.
Three players, Toronto’s Sargent and Djordje Mihailovic and Cincinnati’s Evander are all currently listed at -120 to score or assist in the game.
The over/under is set at 2.5 goals, with over being the slight favourite at -125. Toronto is averaging more than three goals per game combined with its opponents in six MLS matches, with 19 total goals scored. Meanwhile, Cincinnati has combined for 16 goals in its last three MLS matches with its opponents. Leaky defences on both sides make the over an attractive option here.
Toronto FC
Sargent’s arrival from Norwich City in the Championship, where he scored 53 goals in 147 appearances across all competitions, has already made a difference. He has a goal and an assist in the past two games, both Toronto victories.
Daniel Salloi leads the team with two goals, while Mihailovic and Richie Laryea each have two assists.
However, injury concerns do loom. Midfielder Jonathan Osorio remains sidelined, while multiple defenders, including Nicksoen Gomis (Achilles) and Henry Wingo (hamstring) are unavailable.
Those absences could weaken the midfield and backline, potentially exposing them to Cincinnati’s counterattacks.
FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati, which already lost to Toronto at home last month 1-0, has been one of the more disappointing sides in MLS, at least when comparing expectations coming into the season with its on-field performance.
A 6-1 beating at New England last month started a run of four matches allowing at least three goals, including a 4-3 victory over Montreal at home. Defensive lapses have been a major issue, as the team has conceded freely on the road.
Kevin Denkey leads the team with two goals and an assist, while Ender Echenique has a goal and two assists, and Samuel Gidi has two assists as well. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano is questionable with a leg issue, while other key players – like Emeka Eneli – remain sidelined.
MLS Prediction: Who Will Win Toronto FC vs. FC Cincinnati?
Expect Cincinnati’s road woes to continue. They simply don’t resemble much of an MLS side away from home this season. In fact, the goal on Saturday may simply be to produce a respectable final result.
Toronto is emerging. They’re playing much cleaner at home, and Sargent is the kind of infused talent that can serve as a catalyst for success moving forward. FC Cincinnati should look better, but ultimately Toronto FC are expected to prevail 2-1.