FC Cincinnati vs Toronto FC Prediction, MLS Odds

Edgar Chaput
June 20, 2023

Cincinnati is off to the races in 2023, leading the Eastern Conference with a 12-4-1 record, five points clear of their nearest rivals, Nashville SC. Toronto is experiencing one of its more maddening seasons in recent years. They haven’t suffered defeat all that often yet languish in 13^th place. At 3-5-10, more than 50 per cent of their 18 games have ended all square.

The MLS odds have the hosts FC Cincinnati pegged as -146 favourites to Toronto’s +370. A draw is +282.

FC Cincinnati -130
Draw +293
Toronto FC +302

FC Cincinnati vs Toronto FC Betting Analysis

While the head-to-head comparisons between the Ohio and Ontario clubs tells the tale of an even rivalry, the truth is the former has played catch up recently. FC Cincinnati entered MLS in 2019 and dropped their first three tilts against Toronto. Since then, the American side has gone 4-1, including a two-game sweep in 2022. Wednesday is the first game of 2023. The next clash is scheduled for September 30.

That this game is in Ohio plays into the hosts’ favour. Toronto has found it incredibly difficult to win away from BMO Field in 2023. In fact, they haven’t at all, going 0-4-4. As per MLS’ official stats keeping, the Torontonians have earned the spoils in two of the 33 previous games on the road. A shocking record.

As for Cincinnati, they are perfect at TQL Stadium in 2023. A 9-0-0 record shines brightly. While they aren’t among the highest scoring clubs in the division, it’s incredibly difficult to score on them as they are tied for second in the East for goals conceded (16 in total).

FC Cincinnati

Like their upcoming opponents, Cincinnati hasn’t been in action since two weekends ago when they made trip northwest to play the Whitecaps in Vancouver.

If the race for first in the East is tighter than Cincinnati feels it should be, it’s because they do lose points on the road. The match at BC place a couple of weeks ago demonstrated as much. All in all, it was as entertaining as a 1-1 draw will get, with chances back and forth. Luciano Acosta, the club’s leading scorer with eight markers on the campaign, came off the bench to play the hero in the 83^rd minute. A delightful ball saw him come in from the right flank and, with Whitecaps keeper Yohei Takaoka slightly out of position, take his chances from distance, resulting in a brilliant goal.

Unfortunately, a rash defensive move by Matt Miazga in the box gave the hosts a penalty kick, which Ryan Gauld dutifully converted in the 89^th minute.

Toronto FC

While they languish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, perhaps Toronto FC can take some positives from their last match against Nashville with them for the trip to Ohio.

Nashville SC is, after all, only a few points behind Cincinnati, and to their credit, Toronto played them tough. For the game’s first half, the hosts had the second-best team struggling against the ropes and were it not for some excellent goalkeeping, their 15-9 advantage in shots on target would have resulted in all three points. Lorenzo Insigne netted in the 38^th minute with a wonder strike from long-range that will be on season highlight reels, no doubt. C.J. Sapong had his chances, but couldn’t convert.

It was as the second half wore on that it looked as if Toronto had worn down. Nashville took control of the play, thanks to some terribly sloppy passes by the hosts in their own half. Disaster struck in the cruellest fashion in the 69^th minute when a relatively harmless shot by Randall Leal was bottled by Sean Johnson, leading to the 1-1 final.