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Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction

Columbus travel to Toronto to contest a rather intriguing MLS fixture in the Eastern Conference. Of course, it is a game with a bearing on the early standings for each team, but given the start Columbus has made, they will not give away anything easily here. The hosts have been largely inconsistent, but nobody can deny that they are also one of the league’s most exciting sides so far this campaign. For anyone looking to bet on MLS game markets, the goal lines appear wide open, and the underlying stats help explain why. The visitors have the historical edge, but the hosts are the ones with the form.

published: 03-18-2026

Last updated: 03-18-2026

Ryan Liberty
Ryan Liberty
Sports Betting & Casino Editor
Chad Nagel
Sports Betting & Casino Editor

5 minutes read

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Dániel Sallói #20 of the Toronto FC celebrates after scoring with Djordje Mihailovic #10 of the Toronto FC / Getty Images

Dániel Sallói #20 of the Toronto FC celebrates after scoring with Djordje Mihailovic #10 of the Toronto FC / Getty Images

Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: Crew Narrow Favourites

  1. Toronto FC: 7/4 (2.75) – 36.4%

  2. Draw: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%

  3. Columbus Crew: 11/8 (2.38) – 42.0%

    Odds courtesy of FanDuel, subject to change.

Head-to-Head Record

  1. 21/09/2025: Columbus 1-1 Toronto 

  2. 17/08/2025: Toronto 1-1 Columbus 

  3. 19/09/2024: Toronto 0-2 Columbus 

  4. 07/07/2024: Columbus 4-0 Toronto 

  5. 11/02/2024: Toronto 2-4 Columbus 

Toronto FC Current Form – WLLWD

They have had to contend with a rather mixed start to the season, but their greatest frustration will likely be their inability to find a degree of consistency. However, their home form has been impressive, and BMO Field remains a difficult place for opposing teams to visit and come away with a result. 

The hosts have shown flashes and moments of brilliance in attack, particularly in transition moments, but their defensive lapses in concentration have cost them points and seen valuable points vanish. 
Their reliance on pace and individual creativity is evident, more so in the final third, and if they are given the opportunity to express themselves, it could be a tough afternoon here for the visitors. 

Key Players to Watch

  • Jose Cifuentes 
    The winger is one of the most creative and attack-minded outlets available to the hosts. His ability to play with width and then see the ball progress through the inside and contribute to final third entries makes him a constant threat. 
  • Raheem Edwards 
    His technical ability and experience give depth to the attacking options at Toronto. There is no denying his vision and ability to play through the lines, but his contributions at set pieces are an underestimated trait in his game. 
  •  Luka Gavran 
    The keeper is not one who often attracts many plaudits, but his role in organising this Toronto defence is simply crucial. He ensures his side remains competitive, and given his ability in goal, he is one to keep your eye on. 

Toronto FC Team News

Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi remain a doubt for this encounter, due to muscle strains, but otherwise they come into the encounter with a full fit squad. 

Columbus Crew Current Form – LLDL

This is not likely to be the start they would have wanted to come into this season, but counting them out of Eastern Conference contention this early just seems ludicrous. They have a fluid attacking system and move the ball with intention. Their retention of the football is also impressive, but they have been opened so easily in transition moments. 

Punters may have been able to jump on the ‘goals market’ bandwagon given their defensive inaccuracies, but given the strength of this side, their recent performances have been most disappointing. 

Key Players to Watch

  • Diego Rossi 
    He is arguably one of the most dangerous strikers in the league. His ability to combine pace and movement to put pressure on opposing defences is incredible, and when he plays with a degree of confidence, he is seriously difficult to contain. 
  • Andre Gomes 
    His calmness and control through the midfield are at times second to none. He is a player with a considerable passing range and balance. He is seen as irreplaceable by the visitors, and they will likely look at him for attacking outputs. 
  • Max Arfsten 
    He is a player who has seamlessly added both pace and creativity in the attacking areas of the pitch and often links very well with Rossi up front – assuming he plays on the left side. He is one to watch, especially when Columbus picks the ball up in attacking spaces. 

Columbus Crew Team News

The visitors have a healthy squad and come into this fixture with full fitness. They have no concerns or niggles ahead of this clash. 

Predicted Line-Ups

For punters who enjoy online betting, here are our best bets ahead of the fixture between Toronto and Columbus. 

  1. Toronto 

    Gavran, Laryea, Monlouis, Zimmerman, Kuscevic, Cifuentes, Mihailovic, Osorio, Salloi, Aristizabal, Edwards. 

  2. Columbus

    Schulte, Amundsen, Camacho, Moreira, Herrera, Arfsten, Gomes, Zawadzki, Habroune, Ali, Rossi. 

Suggested Bets

  1. Both Teams to Score
    Both sides possess strong attacking players, and recent meetings have produced goals. (4/5 BetMGM) 

  2. Over 2.5 Goals
    Columbus matches frequently produce high-scoring games due to their attacking style. (10/11 FanDuel) 

  3. Toronto Crew to Win
    Their recent form and attacking consistency give them the edge. (11/8 BetMGM) 

Value Bets

For those happy to shoulder a little more risk for bigger returns, here is our value bet. 

  1. First Team to Score – Columbus

    The Crew tends to start aggressively and score early. (6/5 FanDuel)

Prediction: Toronto to Win and Over 2.5 Goals 

The attacking nature of the visitors will likely make this a rather exciting and close affair, but Toronto playing with the confidence they currently have, in front of their home fans, and with their disciplined structure, makes it difficult to see past the home side getting a positive result here. 

The visitors will no doubt threaten and have their chances, but we can’t see past the home side coming away with the win. Combine this with a goals aspect to further bolster the betting odds. 

Ryan Liberty
Ryan LibertySports Betting & Casino Editor

Ryan Liberty is an experienced sports writer whose work has been featured in a range of well-known sports publications.