Preview: DC United vs. Toronto - prediction, team news, lineups

Looking to avoid a sixth consecutive league defeat, Toronto travel to the Audi Field on Saturday to take on DC United.

Meanwhile, the home side will aim to bounce back from a defeat last time out, which ended their three-game unbeaten run.

Match preview

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DC United suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of New York City FC when the two sides faced off at the Yankee Stadium on June 27.

Hernan Losada's men went into the interval ahead, but second-half goals from Keaton Parks and Thiago Andrade turned the game on its head.

The Black-and-Red remain outside the playoff places only on goal difference, albeit having played one more game than seventh-placed New York Red Bulls.

Next up for them is a crucial contest against a Toronto side who they have failed to beat in any of their last five attempts.

Their last victory in this fixture came back in 2018, when the legendary Wayne Rooney scored in the first half to decide the clash.

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Toronto FC were left empty-handed for the fifth game on the bounce following a 2-0 loss versus FC Cincinnati last Sunday.

Goals in either half from Allan Cruz and Luciano Acosta condemned Chris Armas's men to their seventh defeat of the campaign.

With the league's joint-worst defence alongside San Jose Earthquakes, the Reds have often seen most of their efforts at the other end amount to nothing.

Saturday's visitors have amassed the fewest points in the entire division to date, which comes as a surprise after they finished second last time out.

Team News

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Steven Birnbaum and Chris Odoi-Atsem are yet to feature for DC United this season as they continue to battle with ankle and abdominal injuries respectively.

Edison Flores has missed his side's last four outings due to a torn muscle, but the Peruvian could make his comeback this weekend.

Ola Kamara is the hosts' leading goalscorer so far and scored the winner in a 1-0 home triumph against Inter Miami CF on June 20.

Jonathan Osorio leads the way for the visitors with three goals - including two in his last three appearances - despite having played only five times.

Ifunanyachi Achara remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury, and there is no timetable yet for the 23-year-old's return.

DC United possible starting lineup:
Hamid; Pines, Brilliant, Hines-Ike; Mora, Canouse, Gressel, Martins; Asad, Robertha, Arriola

Toronto possible starting lineup:
Bono; Zavaleta; Gonzalez, Mavinga; Bradley, Delgado, Osorio, Morrow, Laryea; Mullins, Dwyer

We say: DC United 1-0 Toronto

The visitors cannot seem to catch a break at the moment as they continue to struggle both home and away. The home side will fancy their chances of claiming all three points in this one, and we are backing them to do so.