Two MLS teams at the wrong end of the Eastern Conference standings will lock horns at BMO Field on Thursday, as Toronto play host to Columbus Crew.
While the hosts will be looking to claim their third successive home win, the visitors have only won one of their last nine games on the road.
Match preview
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After losing 2-0 away at New York Red Bulls, Toronto bounced back to record a 2-1 home victory against Atlanta United on Sunday.
A 57th-minute equaliser from Luiz Araujo cancelled out Jonathan Osorio's eighth-minute opener, but the hosts regained the lead in the 78th minute thanks to 19-year-old substitute Ralph Priso who scored his first goal of the season to secure all three points.
Bob Bradley's men have moved up to 11th place in the Eastern Conference, four points above basement club Chicago Fire and six points behind the playoffs.
Toronto have fared much better on home soil this term as they have accumulated 15 of their 18 points at BMO Field.
The Reds have also won each of their last three home meetings against Columbus Crew by an aggregate score of 6-1, so they will be confident of success on Thursday.
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Columbus Crew followed up their 2-1 away win at Atlanta with back-to-back draws against Charlotte FC and Real Salt Lake.
Caleb Porter's side were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Charlotte before playing out a goalless stalemate away at Salt Lake on Sunday, their fourth draw in their last eight matches.
The Crew are six points and seven places worse off than at this stage last season and they currently sit level on points with Thursday's opponents Toronto, although they do have a game in hand.
Porter will be hoping to see signs of improvement from his team in the coming weeks as the 2019 MLS Cup winners bid to close in on the playoff positions.
The Ohio-based outfit will be looking to claim their third consecutive victory against Toronto, after winning both of their last two meetings by a 2-1 scoreline on home soil.
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Team News
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Toronto's only injury concern at present is with midfielder Noble Okello, who is set to remain sidelined with an abdominal issue.
Centre-back Shane O'Neill will be hoping to force his way back into the starting lineup ahead of Chris Mavinga, while Jacob Shaffelburg will continue to battle with Luca Petrasso for a place at left-back.
Top scorer Jesus Jimenez, who has seven strikes to his name so far this season, is set to lead the line with Ayo Akinola and Jayden Nelson operating on the flanks.
As for Columbus Crew, key playmaker Lucas Zelarayan remains doubtful with a muscle injury so Porter is set to stick with a midfield three of Aidan Morris, Darlington Nagbe and Sean Zawadzski.
Jonathan Mensah returned to the first XI last weekend after missing the draw with Charlotte, and the Ghanaian is expected to start again at the heart of the defence alongside Milos Degenek.
James Igbekeme and Yaw Yeboah are the two most likely candidates to support central strike Miguel Berry in attack, though Luis Diaz and Derrick Etienne will also be pushing to start.
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Westberg; Thompson, Salcedo, O'Neill, Petrasso; Pozuelo, Bradley, Priso; Akinola, Jimenez, Nelson
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Room; Moreira, Mensah, Degenek, Anibaba; Morris, Nagbe, Zawadzski; Yeboah, Berry, Igbekeme
We say: Toronto 1-1 Columbus Crew
Both teams have lacked consistency so far this season but they will each view Thursday's fixture as a good opportunity to claim maximum points and begin a strong run of form.
However, with little to separate these two evenly-matches sides, a score draw could be on the cards at BMO Field.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
