Minnesota United vs Toronto FC Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Minnesota’s first season in the MLS didn’t exactly go to plan, as they slumped to a ninth-place finish, while their second campaign isn’t exactly going too much better, as they currently sit in ninth after 16 matches. Defending has once again been a problem for Carl Craig’s men, while finding goals at the other end continues to be an issue. As things stand, only one team in the Western Conference has scored less goals than Thursday’s hosts.

Having enjoyed an excellent campaign last season, Toronto are yet to get going this time around. We’re only half way through the campaign, though it has already become abundantly clear that they’re going to finish nowhere near as high up as last season. In fact, despite it still being relatively early days, the Canadian outfit have it all to do to get themselves into the play-offs. Having lost last time out, which means that they’ve now gone three without a win, Toronto aren’t likely to be brimming with confidence at present.

Toronto are indeed experiencing something of a disastrous campaign, though this is an excellent opportunity for the reds to put themselves back on the right path. Minnesota haven’t conceded too many goals at home this season, though that is perhaps more to do with good fortune rather than any defensive solidity, while they continue to struggle offensively.

The visitors haven’t exactly thrived from an offensive point of view in terms of scoring goals away from home, but they have managed to get on the score-sheet in each of their last five on the road, while they’ve often offered a far greater threat than some of their results would suggest. Unfortunately, Greg Vanney’s men have conceded a few too many goals, though they have faced a string of teams who’re all far stronger offensively than Minnesota.

Unlike in a few of their recent away matches, Toronto have an attacking edge in this fixture. Offensively, Vanney’s side have more about them than Minnesota. The number of goals scored may not suggest so, but they have dangerous attacking players such as Sebastian Giovinco, who remains one of the most talented forward players in the MLS, as well as Victor Vazquez, who can create. Can the same be said for Minnesota?

What’s more, the visitors come into this fixture having outperformed Minnesota in terms of both shots taken and shots on target this season. The hosts have managed 153 shots to Toronto’s 241, as well as 59 shots on target to Toronto’s 83. In addition, as their recent 2-0 away win over Philadelphia shows, the visitors have shown themselves to be capable of getting the better of those teams who’re not among the most threatening in the final third. Minnesota, who’ve scored less home goals than all but two of the other 22 MLS teams this season, certainly fit into that bracket.

All things considered, despite struggling to hit the heights of last season, Toronto have a good opportunity to regain the winning thread in this fixture. Their extra attacking quality can see them over the line against a weak Minnesota outfit, so backing ‘Toronto to Win’ is the way to play this one.