A battle of two struggling clubs will take place north of the border on Sunday, as Toronto FC travels to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps. Toronto will be looking to end a three-match losing skid, while Vancouver hopes that a bye week and a new signing will lend themselves towards securing just a second victory this season.
Will the Whitecaps turn around the worst start in the club’s 12-year history, or will Toronto’s defense be able to capitalize on the opposition’s struggles and get back to their winning ways? Check out our Vancouver vs Toronto MLS betting picks and predictions for Sunday, May 8.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Toronto FC match odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare MLS odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Toronto FC betting tips
- Prediction: Whitecaps ML (-110)
- Prediction: Whitecaps TT Over 1.5 (-120)
- Best bet: Whitecaps clean sheet (+190)
Predictions made on 5/8/2022 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Vancouver Whitecaps vs Toronto FC game info
• Location: BC Place, Vancouver, BC
• Date: Sunday, May 8, 2022
• Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN2
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Toronto FC betting preview
Weather
It will be a chilly but dry afternoon in Vancouver on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to hover around 50 degrees for the match, but the rain from the morning should be gone before kickoff.
Injuries
Vancouver Whitecaps: Caio Alexandre CM (Doubtful), Ryan Gauld CAM (Probable), Cristian Gutierrez LB (Doubtful), Leonard Owusu CM (Out).
Toronto FC: Ifunanyachi Achara CM (Doubtful), Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty RB (Out), Chris Mavinga CB (Out), Noble Okello CM (Doubtful), Jacob Shaffelburg LM (Out).
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Toronto FC 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
Vancouver will be happy to play their next three matches at home, given how horribly the road has treated them so far this season. Through five away matches, the Whitecaps have been beaten in all five and outscored 14-3 in the process. Their xGA during that time is just over eight goals, but key defensive lapses and turnovers at bad times have led to the massive gulf in expected goals versus actual goals.
Toronto visits town for the first of three straight matches for the Whitecaps at BC Place Stadium, where they've suffered defeat in just two of their last 15 matches — both coming to rival Portland. The playing surface at BC Place has always been an advantage for the host side, and they've kept two clean sheets in three home matches this season.
The visitors come into town having been involved in the only mid-week fixture in MLS this week. Their last two matches both saw them defeated by FC Cincinnati, but Wednesday’s match saw them play down a man for all but six minutes.
The team is struggling mightily after a solid start to the campaign, and aside from forward Jesus Jimenez being tied for the Golden Boot lead with seven goals, there are few positives to point to at the moment.
Injuries and suspensions aren't helping things for Toronto, as questions surfaced regarding the team selection from manager Bob Bradley on Sunday. With three central midfielders out, Michael Bradley may be heavily relied on to not only supply service downfield, but also to help stem the Vancouver attack.
Unlike Toronto, the Whitecaps will be well rested after a bye week, and the addition of a new designated player has boosted morale among the fanbase. Attacking midfielder Andres Cubas was signed by Ligue 2 outfit Nimes and should provide a boost to an attack that has scored just six goals in eight matches, all from different players.
If there’s any team to get back on track against, it’s Toronto. Their 21 goals conceded are the second-most in the league, and their depth will be heavily tested after a short week and lots of travel. Vancouver have taken all three points in eight of their last 10 home matches where the opponent was not Portland, and I see no reason why that trend ends here.
Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps (-110 at DraftKings)
Over/Under analysis
Toronto FC’s defense has been atrocious this season, even at full strength, and they’ve yet to keep a clean sheet in their last 18 matches dating back to 2021. While Vancouver has found it difficult to score, they did get two in their last home match against Portland.
Additionally, FC Cincinnati scored twice in each of their two matches with Toronto, after having been previously dealing with offensive struggles of their own.
Vancouver was unlucky to not score seconds after halftime in their last match, a 3-0 defeat at Austin, and they had 12 shots in the match but put only one on target. I like their chances to be of higher quality against a Toronto side that has conceded 12 goals in five away matches this season. Take Vancouver to find the back of the net at least twice in this one.
Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps team total Over 1.5 (-120 at DraftKings)
Best bet
While Toronto has found the back of the net eight times in five away matches, four of those came in their 5-4 defeat at NYCFC. Their 2-0 loss to Cincinnati was the first time all season they’ve been held scoreless, but their midfield absences and loaded schedule make it very likely that it could happen again.
Vancouver have kept clean sheets in two of their three home matches this season, and in four of their last eight at home dating back to last season. Given the likelihood of another clean sheet, combined with the price, I simply can’t pass on Vancouver holding Toronto scoreless as my best bet of the match.
Pick: Vancouver Whitecaps clean sheet (+190)
