After starting off the season with seven matches in a row on the road, Toronto FC (3-0-4, 9 Points) will open up the newly renovated BMO Field for the first time in 2015 on Sunday night when the Houston Dynamo (1-4-2, 10 Points) come to town.
ODDS ANALYSIS
There is a lot of anticipation for this match in Canada's provincial capital, and for good reason. The fans are excited to see the Reds play at home for the first time this season, and they'll be doing so with what promises to be a sold out venue.
However, the oddsmakers are putting a heck of a lot of stock into that. Toronto is a -127 favorite at home in this one after winning three of its first seven matches on the road, while the total is stock at 2.5 (over -117).
KEY INJURIES
The big issue that Toronto is going to have is in net. Joe Bendik is still dealing with a plantar fascia strain that caused him to miss last week's game, and he isn't likely to play in this one either. Mark Bloom and Steven Caldwell are both out for the Reds as well, which could leave them vulnerable at the back.
The Dynamo are relatively healthy at the moment, as their only listed injury issue is to Nathan Sturgis, who has a dislocated shoulder.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Marky ended up wide a lot, and we wanted him to come inside and connect with Bradley, Warner and Osorio. But the lad is still young, and he did a fantastic job for us in his debut." – Toronto FC manager Greg Vanney on Marky Delgado, the 20-year old who made his debut with the team on Thursday against Montreal in the Voyageurs Cup.
RECENT FORM
The Reds come home with a ton of confidence from what they managed to pull off in their last two away fixtures. They won both at the Citrus Bowl 2-0 against Orlando City and then against Philadelphia 1-0 at PPL Park, and those victories could go a really long way towards getting this team into the playoffs.
The Dynamo have now lost consecutive matches at home, and they haven't beaten anyone this year aside from the dreadful Montreal Impact. That's bad news going forward for a team which really thought it was a playoff squad this year, especially in the high-octane Western Conference.
TALKING TOTALS
There was a point that Toronto's defense really struggled, but going against the Union and the Lions was just what the doctor ordered. The Reds have posted consecutive clean sheets after allowing 10 goals in their previous four fixtures.
The Dynamo have had their own problems defensively. They allowed four goals in successive matches to Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas at home, and to wrap up this three-game home stand, they were beaten by San Jose as well. Still, for the season, totals are relatively split for Houston, and you just don't know which team you're going to see defensively on any given night.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Houston, we have a problem. The Dynamo have the ability to score goals in bunches, but when you look at what they have done on the road this year, you just have to cringe. They have only scored two goals in three games away from the Lone Star State, and when you look at what they are going up against here at BMO Field, this is just too much to ask for.
Expect to see Michael Bradley lead the way for the Reds to a much-needed victory for the home supporters in the biggest day arguably in Toronto FC's history with its new, expanded attendance figures.
Toronto FC 2, Houston 0
BookMaker has live MLS odds for every clash of the season. You can find a moneyline price on Toronto FC of -127 and a total of 2.5 (over -117) right now! BookMaker is also going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised match. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, total and spread. Log in and start gambling during the soccer game now!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between Toronto FC and the Houston Dynamo will take place at 5:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 10, 2015 at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
