The MLS teams that didn’t go far in the Leagues Cup got a few weeks off action, but now they are back on the field for a sprint to the regular season finish.
The Columbus Crew swapped Designated Players in the transfer window as well and now have a chance to climb into the top four of the MLS standings in the Eastern Conference. Toronto FC have had a disastrous season and could be in last place by the end of the weekend.
The Columbus Crew vs Toronto betting analysis for this weekend shows two teams headed in completely opposite directions in the final ten games of the regular season.
Columbus Crew vs. Toronto FC Information
Columbus Crew vs Toronto FC
Location of the game: Lower.com Field. Columbus, OH.
Date & Time: Saturday, August 26. 7:30 p.m. ET.
How to watch: MLS Season Pass
Recent Scores
Columbus Crew beat rivals FC Cincinnati 3-0 on Sunday in their return to the MLS schedule. The Crew went 2-0 in Leagues Cup group play at the end of July with a 2-1 win over St. Louis City FC and a 4-1 win over Club America. They lost in penalty kicks to Minnesota United FC on August 4 after a 3-3 draw in the Leagues Cup knockout round.
Toronto FC lost at home to rivals CF Montreal 3-2 last Sunday. That was their first game in 21 days after they were 0-2 in the Leagues Cup. Toronto lost in group play 5-0 to NYCFC and 1-0 to Atlas.
These teams drew 1-1 in Toronto on March 11. Last season, Columbus won 2-1 in both stadiums for the season sweep.
Columbus Crew vs. Toronto FC Betting Analysis
New Look Crew On the Attack
Columbus made big moves during the transfer window as they sold Designated Player and leading scorer Lucas Zelarayan to Saudi Arabia.
In his place, they added LAFC star Diego Rossi and also brought in USMNT full-back Julian Gressel from Vancouver. The attack has been phenomenal, with ten goals in the last three games and at least two goals in five straight contests.
Cucho Hernandez ranks third in MLS with ten assists and has also added six goals. Cristian Ramirez has eight goals, and Aiden Morris has four. Morris had a great goal against FC Cincinnati, and the Crew can now fully get Rossi into the lineup.
Toronto Limping Toward Finish
Nothing has gone right for Toronto this season. They fired coach Bob Bradley, have suffered massive losses on the field, and dead last in the East with 20 goals. They are only one point ahead of Miami with three more games played and will likely be in last place in the East in no time.
Toronto hasn’t won a game on the road this season in league play. With an overall record of 3-12-10, they are 0-8-4 on the road, and they haven’t scored away from home since June. The Reds didn’t score a single goal in six games in July, going 0-6 and allowing 13 goals in both MLS and Leagues Cup play.
Updates
Will Sands (knee) is the only major injury for the Crew, who are close to fully fit in the Columbus Crew vs Toronto betting analysis.
Toronto continues to play without Latif Blessing, Adama Diomande, Sean Johnson, and Cristian Gutierrez, all out with lower body injuries.
Bradley returned to the starting lineup last week, while Lorenzo Insigne and Victor Vazquez returned to the lineup as substitutes.
Columbus Crew vs. Toronto FC Betting Preview
Moneyline: Looking at the MLS odds, the Crew are big favorites at -270 on the moneyline. A win by Toronto FC on MLS picks will pay out at +600 on the moneyline. A draw is +380.
Over/Under: The over 2.5 goals at -184 and under at +150.
Columbus Crew vs. Toronto FC Betting Prediction
- Everything about the Columbus Crew vs Toronto betting analysis points to a home win for the Crew.
The moneyline is pretty high, but the Crew is at +110 to cover -1.5 goals, and they are also +130 to score more than 2.5 goals by themselves.
Toronto has allowed 16 goals in their last seven games, so a 3-0 Crew win would not be a surprise.
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.