Toronto vs Atlanta: Preview, Odds, Predictions (April 15)
Initial Thoughts
After a so-so start to the season, Toronto FC will defend their unbeaten home record against the highest scoring side in the Eastern Conference on Saturday.
The Narrative
Depending on how you look at it, Toronto FC are either having a respectable, or seriously underwhelming season in 2023.
The Pros: Bob Bradley’s side are unbeaten since their opening match of the campaign, when what looked like an 83rd minute winner from Mark Anthony Kaye was somehow eclipsed by two injury time goals from DC United at Audi Field.
TFC have managed to keep clean sheets in just under half their league matches so far, with new keeper Sean Johnson having an immediate impact on the Toronto backline.
And the side are also coping admirably with the loss of Lorenzo Insigne, whose ongoing calf injury has kept the Galactico signing off of the Toronto team sheet since that opening day defeat to DC.
The major problem is that seven games into the season, Toronto are failing to kill off games and churning out an alarming number of draws.
Saturday’s 0-0 result against Nashville saw the Reds share the points for the fifth time this campaign, leaving Bob Bradley’s men 8th in the Eastern Conference standings and with only a single MLS victory in 2023.
Atlanta United in contrast are riding high in the table, currently occupying 3rd place after racking up four league wins this term.
Gonzalo Pineda’s side are also the second highest scoring team in the Eastern Conference, averaging two goals a game so far across the season.
One down side, the Five Stripes also boast the worst defensive record of any side in the top half of the table, having shipped ten goals in 2023.
But over half of those came in a surprise 6-1 loss to Columbus Crew at the end of March, with Pineda’s team unbeaten in the league both before and after that defeat.
Atlanta will arrive at BMO Field on Saturday having drawn their last game away to New York City FC. But in that clash the Five Stripes did well to ride out the final half an hour of the game with only ten men, after defensive midfielder Franco Ibarra was shown a straight red early in the second half.
Nuts and Bolts
When Toronto FC and Atlanta last met back in the second match of the season, the honors were shared after Gabriel Pereira canceled out Federico Bernardeschi’s 52nd minute opener.
The Reds have drawn blanks in two of their last three games after finding the net at least once in each of their four opening matches of the season. Atlanta in contrast have had a name on the scoresheet in every league game in 2023.
BMO Field has been a fortress so far this season for TFC, with Bob Bradley’s side unbeaten across three home MLS fixtures.
And the home faithful may welcome back a familiar face on the weekend with ex-TFC keeper Quentin Westberg set to start for Atlanta after Brad Guzan picked up a season-threatening MCL injury against NYCFC last week.
But Atlanta are certainly the stronger and more effective side heading into this fixture, and the home side likely face a first home loss of the season if their lack of killer instinct continues.
Homestand Picks
All odds courtesy of Northstar Bets
Having bounced back from that heavy loss to Columbus Crew, we’re picking Atlanta to continue their strong run of form with a win against an underperforming TFC.
Both teams not to score (+133)
Goals have been a problem in recent matches, and were backing TFC to draw another blank against high-scoring Atlanta on Saturday.
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