LAFC vs. Toronto FC MLS Preview and Prediction
MLS Playoffs are creeping up in late October, and while many teams have earned a spot in the postseason already, there are still several teams that can clinch a seed before Decision Day. Toronto FC’s hopes are dashed, while LAFC still has a playoff run to worry about, making this matchup a potentially closer one than it seems.
It’s an Eastern vs. Western Conference team mashup with 12th-place Eastern Toronto FC challenging the mighty 4th-place Western Conference LAFC. Los Angeles clinched their spot in the playoffs back on September 20 when the Earthquakes lost to St. Louis City SC, and has since been on a roll. Toronto can end their eight-game tying streak tonight in a huge upset. Either way, the showdown begins at 10:30 p.m. ET, so be sure to check out my picks below.
LAFC is a -220 favourite to win on the MLS odds, while Toronto FC is a +475 underdog. A draw is listed at +360.
LAFC vs. Toronto FC MLS Odds and Betting Trends
Surprisingly, the two sides have only met on six occasions, with LAFC leading the way with four total wins to Toronto’s one, although from a total of 19 goals scored, Toronto has managed seven goals. Their most recent meeting ended in a close 1-0 victory for LAFC, marking their second consecutive win against the Reds.
It’s no surprise LAFC are three-way moneyline favourites marked at -220, while Toronto FC are your major underdogs at +475. A draw comes in at +360, and considering how the Reds recently set the record for most draws in a row in MLS history at eight total (and counting), it can’t be ruled out too quickly.
Toronto FC
Since Toronto’s MLS playoff hopes vanished, they’ve got nothing to lose this season, with their main goal being to increase their gap in points from 13th-place Montreal CF. Out of their last eight games, all draws, the Reds tied six of their matches 1-1, with their most recent game ending in a 2-2 draw to the Chicago Fire.
Unfortunately for Toronto’s offence, one of those goals was an own-goal, with the only other 90+10’ goal coming from Dorde Mihalovic, the highest priced goalscorer for Toronto in this matchup at +340. Theo Corbeanu can damage LAFC’s defence if he comes off the bench again, leading his team with six goals in the season and priced to score at +190.
LAFC
LAFC continues to battle it out for a top spot in the Western Conference at fourth-place with 56 points and two games in-hand behind first-place San Diego FC. They’ve had a spectacular season, particularly offensively, with the third-highest number of goals scored this season in the MLS behind the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami. They’re running a five-game winning streak into tonight, with their most recent match against Atlanta United ending 1-0.
The Black and Gold have a lot of firepower to rely on, as Denis Bounga is tied with Leo Messi for most goals in the league at 24. However, both him and Son Heung-min (nine goals and two assists in eight games) are set to miss this matchup for international duty, leaving LAFC’s top anytime goalscorers to be Jeremy Ebobisse (+120), Alexandru Baluta (+160), and David Martínez Morales (+175).
MLS Prediction: Who Will Win LAFC vs. Toronto FC?
While LAFC is quite handicapped for tonight’s game compared to their usual potential, I don’t see Toronto FC taking a win on the road, nor do I see them extending their draw record to an all-time high of nine in a row.
LAFC has much more to worry about in the future over just this game, but even so, they’re deadly in their own home territory, which is why I’m predicting a 2-0 win at minimum for LAFC tonight at -200, which means they’ll also cover the -1.5 spread at +125.
