Preview: New York City FC vs. Toronto - prediction, team news, lineups

Fresh off the back of picking up their first league win of the season last time out, Toronto travel to the Yankee Stadium on Saturday to take on New York City FC.

Meanwhile, the hosts have bounced back from an opening day defeat, and they are currently on a three-game unbeaten streak.

Match preview

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New York City FC were denied a third consecutive win as Orlando City SC held them to a 1-1 stalemate on Saturday.

Ronny Deila's men went behind shortly after the restart to Luis Nani's opener, but Valentin Castellanos kept his cool from 12 yards in the 77th minute to level matters.

The Pigeons currently sit seventh in the MLS table following that draw and would move into second place should they manage to claim all three points in their next outing.

Recent matches involving Saturday's opponents leaves little to choose between them with the last four meetings yielding two wins apiece.

However, the hosts have not won any of their last three home games against the visitors, which is something they would be aiming to change come the full-time whistle.

Toronto FC opened their account for the season with a 2-0 triumph over Columbus Crew at the Exploria Stadium on Thursday.

Goal in either half from Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore were enough to hand Chris Armas's men a much-needed three points.

The Reds will now be looking to kick on from that win and move into the top half by claiming a second victory on the trot.

Their last visit to New York was less than a week ago which ended in a 2-0 defeat against New York Red Bulls, and they will be hoping for a better outcome this time around.

Team News

Thiago Andrade is yet to feature for the hosts this term and he remains unavailable due to personal reasons.

Gedion Zelalem and Cody Mizell are both ruled out as they are sidelined with knee and groin injuries respectively.

Toronto's Alejandro Pozuelo continues to nurse a thigh problem which is set to keep the Spaniard out of this weekend's clash.

Ifunanyachi Achara remains has not made an appearance for the away side in the last two years due to a damaged knee ligament.

New York City FC possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Callens, Sands, Chanot; Thorarinsson, Parks, Acevedo, Tinnerholm; Jasson, Medina, Castellanos

Toronto possible starting lineup:
Bono; Auro, Mavinga, Gonzalez, Laryea; Priso-Mbongue, Bradley, Martinez; DeLeon, Delgado, Akinola

We say: New York City FC 2-1 Toronto

The home side have flown out of the blocks faster than their visitors and are in better form heading into the game. We are backing them to carry the day in this one, albeit by a narrow margin.