A rejuvenated Toronto FC hosts LA Galaxy looking to rein in a playoff spot while the visitors hope to consolidate their playoff position and distance themselves from the chasing pack.
With six matches remaining, Toronto FC has three points to make up and three positions to leapfrog. However, they’ll almost certainly snatch the seventh and final playoff spot if they’re able to stay the course and continue their recent electric form.
The Galaxy are a point ahead of Portland and three ahead of Vancouver in the race for the seventh and final Western Conference playoff spot. Greg Vanney’s side won’t be satisfied with merely holding off the challengers and will focus on reining in Nashville and Real Salt Lake, both of whom are two points ahead. Here are our free MLS betting picks for Toronto FC vs. LA Galaxy on August 31.
Toronto FC vs LA Galaxy match odds
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Toronto FC vs LA Galaxy betting tips
- Prediction: Toronto FC ML (-110)
- Prediction: Over 2.5 (-205)
- Best bet: Toronto ML and Both Teams Score (+210)
Predictions made on 8/30/2022 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Toronto FC vs LA Galaxy game info
• Location: BMO Field, Toronto, ON
• Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN
Toronto FC vs LA Galaxy betting preview
Weather
The temperature will be a pleasant 73 Fahrenheit at kickoff. Winds will be fairly stiff at about 18 mph, and humidity should be about 55%. There is a 20% chance of precipitation.
Injuries
Toronto FC: Noble Okello M (Questionable), Quentin Westberg GK (Questionable), Mark-Anthony Kaye M (Questionable).
LA Galaxy: Jorge Villafana D (Out), Jonathan Perez M (Out), Derrick Williams D (Out).
Toronto FC vs LA Galaxy predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Side analysis
Toronto FC is coming off a gritty 2-0 road win at Charlotte in which Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi scored in the same match for the third time in seven encounters since joining the club in late July.
Insigne and Bernardeschi were named to the MLS Team of the week and have made an emphatic impression since landing in MLS, transforming Toronto FC from bottom feeders to playoff hopefuls.
Add the team’s first Italian signing of the summer, left-back Domenico Criscito, to the dynamic duo, and you have the source of Toronto’s recent galvanizing force. The Italian trio was involved in the last seven Toronto goals and 13 of the previous 15. That outstanding return has spearheaded Toronto’s revival, as they have lost just one of seven matches, a 2-1 setback at Inter Miami.
The current run has seen Bob Bradley’s side win two on the road for their first away victories all season. They’re also unbeaten in four at home and have the sixth-best record in front of their feverishly loud fans at BMO Field. Toronto FC hasn’t lost a home match since Insigne and Bernardeschi arrived on the scene, yet another feather in their collective cap.
In addition, Toronto FC loves playing the Galaxy on their home patch, losing just one of eight at BMO Field. The aforementioned collection of supporting evidence makes Toronto FC favorites for the all-important encounter.
However, Vanney’s side also has a lot to play for and enters the match on the back of a crucial 2-1 away win at New England. The away victory snapped a four-game road losing streak. The Galaxy now looks to Toronto to try and secure their first back-to-back road triumphs since September 2020.
Much of Los Angeles’ malaise away from home comes down to their inability to create enough chances. The Galaxy have scored 14 goals in 12 away matches, tied for the fewest in the Western Conference. Vanney won’t be concerned about his side’s defense on enemy terrain, as they have conceded just 17 goals, tied for the conference’s fewest.
If Toronto is to defy the odds and secure a playoff spot, Bradley knows they will have to run the table, an increasingly more viable outcome with every successful result. Toronto FC secured all three points in Charlotte without top goalscorer Jonathan Osorio, who is available for Wednesday’s match and should start.
Look for Toronto to continue their sterling form with a tight 2-1 win.
Prediction: Toronto FC moneyline (-110 at bet365)
Over/Under analysis
Four of Toronto’s previous five matches have seen three or more goals, and seven of its last eight at home resulted in the Over. A staggering 86% of Toronto’s home games (12 of 14) have resulted in the Over.
The Galaxy is on a four-match run of Overs of their own with 22 combined goals scored in that stretch, an average of 5.5 goals per game.
Toronto’s offense is firing on all cylinders, largely thanks to the Italian triumvirate. Look for the home side to score at least two in another pivotal home victory.
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals (-205 at FanDuel)
Best bet
While the Galaxy are by no means prolific offensively on the road, they’ve scored at least a goal in five of their seven previous away matches.
Toronto FC’s defense has seen a marked improvement in its recent seven matches but is still one of the most porous at home in the Eastern Conference. They have conceded 22 goals in 14 home contests.
Pick: Toronto moneyline + both teams score (+210 at bet365)
