Verdict: New York City FC win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to claim an immediate MLS response in the early hours of Friday, New York City will welcome Toronto to Yankee Stadium.
New York City FC
Starting with the hosts, while New York City might have laid down a real marker on June 13th as they stormed their way to a sensational 4-0 romp against Atlanta, the Pigeons came crashing back down to earth last weekend. Eventually falling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Montreal, Pascal Jansen’s side have drastically failed to find any kind of stability since opening up the 2025 campaign. Currently sat outside the top-seven in the Eastern Conference, the former AZ Alkmaar boss could have some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Signing off May with a 3-0 drumming against Houston, NYCFC have mustered just a sole victory from any of their previous four MLS appearances. However, despite their latest rut, it should be highlighted that Friday’s hosts have registered nine points from their last four showdowns at Yankee Stadium.
New York City FC Team News
Bagging a pair of Gold Cup strikes for Costa Rica this summer and enjoying what was an impressive campaign, Alonso Martinez will return to Jansen’s squad here. However, once again missing out against Montreal last week, one-time Benfica youngster Keaton Alexander Parks remains on the sidelines.
Returning from his respective injury issue over the past fortnight, Kelvin O’Toole should get some more minutes under his belt. Former Palmeiras defender Thiago Martins will partner USA international Justin Hack at the back.
Toronto FC
As for the visitors, springing what was a real upset last week as they stormed their way to a 3-0 victory at home against Portland, Toronto will be desperate to use that shock performance as a platform to build on. However, still firmly stuck at the foot of the Eastern Conference standings, Robin Fraser’s side are 12 points adrift of the play-off places heading into Friday’s showdown. Not collecting consecutive MLS victories so far this calendar year, the Reds should be concerned by a nightmare record against New York. Hit with a 1-0 loss when they welcomed the Pigeons to BMO Field on April 26th, they have lost all of their last five consecutive meetings by an aggregate score of 14-3. Likewise, Toronto have failed to muster a single MLS victory at Yankee Stadium since way back in September 2020.
Toronto FC Team News
Featuring in Honduras’ 1-0 Gold Cup semi-final defeat against Mexico less than 24 hours ago, Deybi Aldair Flores will not play any part here. Not making a single appearance since May 21st and reportedly dealing with a back issue, former Al-Nassr forward Jonathan Rodriguez Portillo remains a doubt.
Making a permanent switch to BMO Field last summer, one-time Newcastle starlet Matthew Longstaff will start in the middle of the park. Former Birmingham City defender Kevin Long will feature at the heart of Fraser’s defence this weekend.
New York City FC vs Toronto FC Key Factors to Consider
- When New York City and Toronto last met on April 26th, Friday’s hosts collected a 1-0 victory at BMO Field.
- In fact, New York have won all of their last five consecutive meetings against Toronto by an aggregate score of 14-3.
- Despite their recent issues, NYCFC have registered nine points from their previous four MLS showdowns at Yankee Stadium.
- Toronto’s shock 3-0 victory against Portland last week was the first clean sheet they have recorded since May 10th.
- Continuing on from last season, Toronto have recorded just a sole clean sheet on their travels since back in August.
Conclusion
Left frustrated away at Montreal last week, New York will certainly be excited to make a return to Yankee Stadium here. Desperate to find a route back into the top-seven, Friday’s hosts have registered nine points from their previous four MLS showdowns in front of their own supporters and they could be smelling a potential opportunity this weekend. Landing a gritty 1-0 victory when they travelled to BMO Field on April 26th, they do hold a dominant record against Toronto. In fact, winning each of their previous five straight meetings against the Reds by an aggregate score of 14-3, we are backing a home victory in the early hours of Friday.
Verdict: New York City FC win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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