Toronto FC vs New York Red Bulls – Match Preview

The new season of Major League Soccer is upon us. Toronto FC is gearing up to host New York Red Bulls at BMO Field. This opening round match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 2nd, at 23:30 GMT. Both teams aim to start their season with a win, understanding the importance of the three points at stake. Toronto FC, currently 17th with 37 points, has faced challenges in securing wins. The Red Bulls, in 15th place with 44 points, have shown more consistency. A victory in this match could set a positive tone for their season.

Toronto FC – Form

Toronto FC’s performance in recent Major League Soccer matches has been varied. Their last game on September 29, 2024, ended in a 1-1 draw against Chicago Fire FC. This result was unexpected according to bookmakers. Before this, they lost 2-0 to Columbus Crew at home. Goals from Juan Hernandez and Marcelo Herrera sealed the win for the Crew. On September 14, they claimed a 2-1 victory over Austin FC. Jonathan Osorio and Deandre Kerr scored, aligning with predictions.

New York Red Bulls – Form

The New York Red Bulls have encountered tough matches recently. They faced a 1-5 defeat at home against New York City FC on September 28, 2024. This was a disappointing outcome. Before this, Chicago Fire FC narrowly beat them 2-1 away. Dennis Gjengaar scored for the Red Bulls, with an assist from Dante Vanzeir. Their game against Atlanta United ended in a 2-2 draw. This result showed their ability to fight back and secure a point.

Head to Head

The last game between Toronto FC and New York Red Bulls was a goalless draw on July 28, 2024, in the Leagues Cup. In their past 10 encounters, Toronto FC has won once, while the Red Bulls have won six times. This shows the Red Bulls’ dominance in this rivalry. The recent 5 matches at BMO Field have seen both teams scoring 4 times. It’s worth noting that Toronto FC has found it challenging to defend against the Red Bulls. They have conceded in 23 of their last 25 matches against them. Additionally, Toronto has struggled to win in 13 of their last 15 matches against the Red Bulls. Most of these games had fewer than 3.5 goals.

Standings

The match at BMO Field is an eagerly awaited opener for both Toronto FC and New York Red Bulls. Toronto FC is in 17th place with 37 points from 32 matches. They are keen to improve their position. The Red Bulls are slightly ahead in 15th place, with 44 points from 31 games. They too have ambitions to climb the standings. With a 7-point gap and a game in hand, the Red Bulls aim to extend their lead over Toronto FC.

Top Scorers

For Toronto FC, Federico Bernardeschi and Prince Osei Owusu lead the scoring chart with 8 goals each. Lorenzo Insigne has added 4 goals. Deandre Kerr and Derrick Etienne have contributed 3 goals each. On the Red Bulls’ side, Lewis Morgan has scored 12 goals. Elias Manoel follows with 7 goals. Emil Forsberg has contributed 6 goals, and Cameron Harper has added 5. Dante Vanzeir has scored 4 goals, rounding out a strong offensive lineup.

Full-Time Betting

Bookmakers favor the New York Red Bulls with odds of 2.35 for an away win. This reflects their slightly better position and head-to-head record over Toronto FC. The odds for a Toronto victory stand at 2.88. A draw is considered less likely at 3.50. The “halftime-fulltime” options and “draw-no-bet” market offer interesting opportunities for bettors. The “double-chance” bets could be appealing for those looking to minimize risk.

Over/Under Betting

The “Over 2.5” odds are set at 1.75, with “Under 2.5” at 2.05. The trend of fewer goals in past meetings suggests the “Under 2.5” option might offer value. Both teams have been involved in low-scoring games recently. This makes the “Under 2.5” bet an interesting choice for those looking for value.

BTTS Betting

The odds for “BTTS: Yes” are at 1.615. This suggests a moderate expectation that both teams will score. Historical data and recent form support the likelihood of both teams finding the net. Considering the defensive challenges of Toronto FC and the Red Bulls’ scoring ability, “BTTS: Yes” seems a plausible outcome.

Prediction