MLS Final Series Contenders Meet in the Big Apple
The 2016 Eastern Conference Champions head south on Wednesday night as they meet New York City FC at Yankee Stadium.
On their way to Eastern Conference success last season, Toronto FC met New York City FC at the semi-final stage and defeated them over two legs. New York City FC players and fans will remember that and revenge will be on the menu.
New York City FC start this match in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference with 33 points from their 19 games played. Toronto FC sit one place above them with 38 points, having plated the same number of matches. New York City FC need the win if they are to close the gap on the top two places.
New York City FC Form
New York City FC have won 50% of their last 10 MLS games, with 4 of those victories coming in their last 5 matches. However, they lost last time out at Vancouver Whitecaps and will need to bounce back from that defeat quickly.
New York City FC have won 4 and drawn 1 of their last 5 home MLS games and have scored 2 or more goals in each of those matches. In fact, they have scored an average of 2.2 goals across all their MLS home games this season and have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 7.
Toronto FC Form
Toronto FC have lost only 2 of their last 13 matches in the MLS and have become a difficult team to beat. However, they have lost 2 of their last 5 games, with both defeats coming away from home.
Away from home Toronto FC have been inconsistent, winning 2, drawing 1 and losing 2 of their last 5 games.
Toronto FC have scored 2 or more goals in 9 of their last 13 games, and each of their last 3 games in the MLS has seen over 2.5 goals scored.
Team News
New York City FC are without Miguel Camargo and Rodney Wallace who are on international duty and the injured pair of Khiry Shelton and Ronald Matarrita. However, David Villa is fit to lead the attack and will play the lone strikers role in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Toronto FC also have players on international duty as both Jozy Altidore and Justin Morrow have been called up to the United States CONCACAF Gold Cup squad. Nick Hagglund and Steven Beitashour are injured but Sebastian Giovinco should be fit enough to start in attack alongside Jordan Hamilton in a 5-3-2 formation.
Top Betting Tips
If there is one thing which stands out from these teams it’s the number of goals both have scored and conceded. Therefore, over 2.5 goals must be considered a good bet and can be backed at 13/20 with Ladbrokes.
Both teams to score also seems like a good bet and this is available at 4/7 with Ladbrokes. It’s also possible to combine the two and over 2.5 goals and both teams to score is on offer at 10/11 with Coral.
New York City FC have scored 2 or more goals in each of their last 5 home games and be backed to do the same in this one at 8/11 with Ladbrokes.