Preview: Toronto vs. Orlando City - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides at opposite end of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference square off on Sunday, as Toronto play host to Orlando City.

The hosts currently find themselves at the foot of the conference with eight points from 12 games, while their opponents trail leaders New England Revolution by just three points with a game in hand.

Match preview

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After finishing second in the Eastern Conference last year, booking a spot in the playoffs as a result, Toronto have had a completely contrasting campaign this time around, having been rooted to the bottom of the table for the majority of the season.

They were recently cut slightly adrift following a run of six straight defeats in the MLS, including two separate losses to Sunday's opponents, with Tesho Akindele firing Orlando to a 1-0 win in May.

Akindele would again be on the scoresheet when the Florida outfit defeated Toronto for the second time, scoring in the first minute before a Nani goal and a late Junior Urso winner condemned the Reds to a narrow 3-2 defeat.

Their most harmful defeat came at the beginning of July, as a Ralph Priso own goal and goals from Kevin Paredes, Nigel Robertha, Paul Arriola, Ola Kamara, Yamil Asad and Griffin Yow fired DC United to a dominant 7-1 victory, triggering the departure of manager Chris Armas.

However, they bounced back following his exit, recording their second victory of the season last time out as goals from Yeferson Soteldo, Kemar Lawrence and Tsubasa Endoh saw them record a surprise 3-2 win over Conference leaders New England Revolution.

Toronto will undoubtedly take confidence from that result heading into a clash with another of the league's standout sides, as they desperately look to kickstart their season and move up the table.

They arguably face a strong Orlando City side at a good time, considering the visitors have lost their last two MLS games.

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Having recorded 21 points from their opening 10 games, the Lions sat in a particularly strong position at the top end of the Eastern Conference, firmly cementing themselves in the playoff places.

However, they come into Sunday's game having lost back-to-back matches, firstly falling to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of New York Red Bulls, as Fabio netted a late winner after Chris Mueller had drawn the hosts level.

Oscar Pareja's side then suffered their second straight defeat last time out, losing 3-1 to Chicago Fire as Boris Sekulic, Robert Beric and Chinonso Offor all found the net after Andres Perea gave Orlando the lead.

Nevertheless, the Lions still remain in a favourable position in the MLS, sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind the league leaders with a game in hand.

They will hope to make a return to winning ways on Sunday to put pressure on, or potentially move level on points with New England Revolution, while keeping that game in hand.

Team News

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Toronto have been badly hit by absentees throughout the season, with the likes of Erickson Gallardo, Ifunanyachi Achara and Julian Dunn-Johnson all remaining out for extended periods of time.

Their selection concerns have taken another hit recently, with defender Richie Laryea, midfielder Jonathan Osorio and forward Ayo Akinola all away with the Canadian national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

However, experienced forward Jozy Altidore did recently rejoin the squad after he trained alone due to fractured relations with the club, and the 31-year-old could be called upon to lead the line in Akinola's absence.

Orlando City are expected to welcome back goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, who spent time with the Peru national side at this year's Copa America, with the tournament wrapping up last week.

However, they do not have the luxury of a full squad, with striker Alexandre Pato missing out alongside defenders Joao Moutinho, Antonio Carlos and Ruan.

Pareja recently added to his defensive ranks with the capture of experienced left-back Emmanuel Mas, and he could come straight into the side on Sunday.

The line will be led by Tesho Akindele, who has registered three goals and four assists in 12 MLS appearances so far this season.

Toronto possible starting lineup:
Bono; Auro, Gonzalez, Singh, Lawrence; Bradley, Delgado; Endoh, Pozuelo, Soteldo; Altidore

Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Halliday, Schlegel, Jansson, Mas; Urso, Rosell; Van Der Water, Perea, Nani; Akindele

We say: Toronto 2-1 Orlando City

While the league positions may point to a relatively clear Orlando victory on Sunday, we see Toronto causing another upset given the trajectories of the two sides.

The Reds will be hugely boosted having broken their losing run with a victory last time out, while their opponents find themselves under pressure after back-to-back defeats, potentially setting Sunday's game up to be a surprise result.