MLS: Orlando City vs. Toronto FC Preview, Odds, Betting Tips, Predictions, Picks

While Orlando City battles to stay in the playoff zone, Toronto FC underachieves a lot and is near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. That’s why the hosts sit as massive favorites before this contest and hope to take all three points. Toronto has superstar power, with Insigne and Bernardeschi, yet they can’t find the winning formula. As for the Lions, they act as a unit without some notable names, and all of their victories have been provided through team effort. 

Preview

Orlando City (-195) is in solid shape, losing just one of its previous ten events, staying on the right track when it comes to the playoff race. The City has four wins and five draws in the remaining nine events, but even so, they play solid, competitive football. 

What is a bit odd is that the Lions don’t use their home-field edge like other conference rivals. On one side, they are among the best road teams in the league but are only ninth in the conference when looking at results in front of their own fans.

So far, in 11 matches down in Florida, Orlando has four wins, four draws, and three draws, with a goal difference of 14-12. The positive side is that they stayed undefeated in the past six home events, with three wins and three draws.

Toronto FC (+475) is maybe the biggest disappointment this season. The team from Canada indicated solid potential last season, particularly after landing Bernardeschi and Insigne, but somewhere along the road, this team just collapsed. 

Now we don’t know the reason for all this, but the fans and the front office are frustrated. They had to make a switch at the head coaching position with Bob Bradley leaving the post and Terry Dunfield replacing him.

That didn’t bring too many changes, as Toronto lost last weekend at home to Real Salt Lake 0-1. It was the third consecutive loss for the Canadians, who haven’t won since the last day of May. Right now, they have two wins in the previous 15 appearances throughout all competitions. 

Latest News

Adam Grinwis, Abdi Salim, and Gaston Gonzales are all injured. Michael Halliday is doubtful. 

Michael Bradley, Adama Diomande, and Victor Vasques won’t play for the troubled guests. 

Head to Head Games

Orlando and Toronto didn’t play this year. The two units met twice during the previous regular season, and on both occasions, the Lions had more success. They were better than Toronto in Canada, 0-1, and after that, beat them 4-0 at home. 

Toronto’s last victory in direct encounters came in 2019, six games ago.

Prediction

The hosts are in a better mood and form coming into this event. It’s no wonder the bookies priced Orlando’s win at -195 because Toronto can’t get a grip this year. The Canadians are falling apart, and we strongly believe in the hosts’ victory. We don’t want to take any risk, which is why our pick is only Orlando’s triumph, but for those who want to increase the profits, go with the hosts covering a -1.5-goal spread. 

Pick: Orlando wins -195

Here are more MLS Previews for July 4

• LA Galaxy vs. LA FC
• Dallas FC vs. Washington DC