Charlotte’s road struggles and TFC’s recent low-scoring form put the Under 2.5 and Dániel Sallói’s goalscorer markets in focus
If Toronto FC is looking to turn their season around, it’s time to crank it up, and that starts at BMO Field tonight against Charlotte FC.
With a 12-game winless streak in the rearview mirror, after a 2-1 win over New England last weekend, TFC players were talking to Sportsnet about a new feeling of optimism in the dressing room, momentum, and confidence after the New England win. The Revolution are 9-3-7 on the season, so that win meant even more.
Highlights of newcomer Niklas Dorsch’s stunning strike against the Revolution, the winning goal, and his first career goal in MLS dominated social media.
For bettors, how much do you factor in momentum and home-field advantage? Charlotte FC is 8-4-7, fifth in the Eastern Conference, and TFC is now 4-8-7, 12th in the conference.
Toronto is four points out of a wild-card spot with 15 games to play.
Game time tonight is 7:30 p.m. EST. Charlotte won the first meeting between the two clubs, 3-1, on May 16. Dániel Sallói leads Toronto with four goals, while Charlotte’s Pep Biel has 10.
In soccer betting at Betway, Toronto is a slight +110 home favourite, with Charlotte at +162 and the draw at +260. Despite Charlotte’s stronger record, the market sees this as a competitive matchup, with TFC’s home-field advantage enough to make Toronto the narrow favourite.
The Reds, though, will be without midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, who set up Dorsch for that memorable goal. Mihailovic was given a red card in the New England game. That’s a big loss offensively tonight.
Dorsch, though, has an opportunity tonight to really win the crowd. The home side fans need a jolt of positive energy after a season so far that’s seen TFC start strong, taper off due to injury and underperformance, and then face World Cup scheduling that kept the team away from BMO Field for three months.
Toronto ranks in the bottom third in league attendance, down from last season, including a match on May 9 against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami that drew over 44,800 people.
So where do we go on the betting front tonight?
I’m looking first at plus money on the Under 2.5 (+125). This feels like the kind of match Toronto can grind out 1-0, especially given the way TFC has been playing lately.
I’m also taking Toronto to win. There’s a little optimism around the club after Saturday’s 2-1 victory over New England — its first win since April — mixed with some late-season desperation and the boost of finally being back at BMO Field. Dorsch’s winner felt like it sparked something, and I’d be surprised if the Reds didn’t rise to the occasion again, even without the suspended Mihailovic.
Charlotte’s road record strengthens the case. They’ve struggled away from home, including losses in four of their past six MLS road matches.
And for a little more plus money, Sallói as an anytime goalscorer at +190 is worth a look.
