Toronto FC vs. New England Revolution Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 8/14/21
Toronto FC has the fewest points in the MLS but one of their few wins was a shocking one on the road facing New England, who have the most points in the MLS.
New England only has three losses all season and is atop the Eastern Conference and look to avenge their loss to Toronto on July eighth. Since that loss, the Revolution have played six matches with five wins and one draw. The club has scored the most goals in the MLS and they are running away with the East with a 10-point lead over second-place Orlando.
One of Toronto’s few bright spots this season was their road win over the Revolution. While the club has the fewest points they have a win, a loss, and four draws since the win over New England. The club has given up the most goals MLS, by a wide margin, but their defense has been playing better as of late.
Back in the W Column
After playing to a draw the Revolution got back in the win column in their last match with a 2-1 home win over the Philadelphia Union. Matt Polster and Gustavo Bou each scored the match where the time of possession was nearly even and while New England had more shots overall, (14-13), they had fewer shots on target (4-6). Since the 3-2 home loss to Toronto the Revolution have only conceded four goals in six matches.
Boe leads the MLS with 11 goals and he and Adam Buksa are one of the best forward tandems in the league combining for 19 goals. Boe has four goals in his last four matches and Buksa has three in his last five matches. Carles Gil leads the league with 15 assists, and he has missed the last two matches with an injury and is questionable for the Toronto encounter. DF Jon Bell is also listed as questionable for the match. Two of the three losses for New England on the season has come at home.
Rallying for the Draw
In their last match Toronto was on the road and after going down 2-0 after the 21st minute they rallied for two goals in the second half to secure a draw against New York City FC. Richie Laryea and Alejandro Pozuelo each scored for Toronto in the match where the time of possession was nearly even and Toronto had more shots on target (6-5) but fewer shots overall (15-10).
Toronto has given up 38 goals on the season and FC Cincinnati has given up the second-most with 30. After a solid stretch on the defensive side of the pitch after the win over New England, the club has given up five goals in their last two matches. Toronto has scored 23 goals in 18 matches and Ayo Akinola and Jonathan Osorio are tied with the team lead with three goals apiece. Patrick Mullins and Alejandro Pozuelo lead the club with three assists each. FC has some injury concerns for this match, as FW Dom Dwyer, DF Auro, and MF Alejandro Pozuelo are all listed as questionable and FW Tsubasa Endoh is out.
Trends
Toronto FC is:
0-2-1 in their last three matches
0-0-4 in their last four road matches
The New England Revolution are:
5-1-0 in their last six matches
2-1-0 in their last three road matches
Pick: New England +123
While Toronto beat New England this season, they are winless in their last four matches while New England is unbeaten in their last six matches. The Revolution got off to a horrible start against Toronto in the loss to them this season giving up three goals in the first 24 minutes. Do not look for New England to underestimate them again in this match north of the border. FC has conceded five goals in their last two matches and look for the Revolution to pounce on them in this match. I look for New England to dominate Toronto all over the pitch and they will get the W and avenge their earlier season loss to them.
Total: Over 2.5 goals
The match between these clubs in July went Over and that is the pick I am leaning towards in this match. Toronto has given up five goals in their last two matches and their defense will struggle in this match. In the first match between these teams this season Toronto jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but they gave up 21 shots and lost the time of possession battle 61% to 39%. This match will be similar for the last two stats, but New England will not give up a big early lead. Their attack will get it done scoring a few goals while I would not be surprised if they kept a clean sheet. The Revolution will have a goal barrage and that is the reason the Over is the pick in this Eastern Conference match.
