Preview: Toronto vs. FC Cincinnati - prediction, team news, lineups

The two bottom sides in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference table will square off on Thursday, as Toronto welcome FC Cincinnati.

Just one point currently separates the two teams, with the hosts occupying the foot of the table having also played a game more.

Match preview

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After reaching the playoffs last term, Toronto have had to endure a far more difficult MLS campaign this time around and currently prop up the Eastern Conference.

The Reds have won just four of their 26 games so far this season, seeing them sit on a disappointing tally of 19 points at this stage.

That has largely been down to their defensive struggles, with no other side in the MLS conceding as many as the 51 goals that they have shipped so far.

After recently posting a 2-1 win over Nashville SC, thanks to goals from Jacob Shaffelburg and Omar Gonzalez, and thrashing York United 4-0 in the Canadian Championship, Toronto stretched an unbeaten run to three games last time out.

Javi Perez's side travelled to Colorado Rapids on Sunday and earned a point in a goalless draw, and they will now look to return to winning ways and stretch the more positive run with a victory that would see them leapfrog the visitors.

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Cincinnati have had a similarly difficult season in the MLS and sit just one point better off in 13th place in the Conference.

They head into Wednesday's game on the back of three straight league defeats, having firstly fallen to a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Atlanta United before being beaten 2-1 by New York City FC.

The Orange and Blue were unable to reverse their fortunes last time out, as a Paul Arriola brace and goals from Steven Birnbaum and Nigel Robertha saw DC United take a 4-0 lead before Brandon Vazquez and Luciano Acosta found the net in vain for Cincinnati in the final 10 minutes.

Despite their poor run of form, the Ohio outfit will take confidence from their recent meeting with Toronto, as Brenner and Haris Medunjanin fired them to a 2-0 home win, seeing them leapfrog Wednesday's opponents.

Their places will be switched with a defeat though, and Cincinnati, now under the temporary charge of Tyrone Marshall following Jaap Stam's departure, will be desperate to bounce back to winning ways and climb away from the foot of the division.

Team News

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Toronto remain without a long list of players through injury, as forwards Jozy Altidore and Ayo Akinola, midfielders Tsubasa Endoh, Ralph Priso-Mbongue and Alejandro Pozuelo and defender Nick DeLeon are all sidelined.

The attacking absences should see Yeferson Soteldo and Patrick Mullins continue to lead the line, with wing-backs Jonathan Osorio and Auro offering attacking support.

They will be boosted by the return of veteran midfielder Michael Bradley, who served a one-game suspension last time out.

While Cincinnati have fewer selection concerns, Maikel van der Werff and Joseph-Claude Gyau will remain out of action, although Kenneth Vermeer was fit enough to make the bench last time out.

Alvaro Barreal and Isaac Atanga will both return to the squad after suspensions, as they were both sent off in the defeat to New York City FC.

Brandon Vazquez will be pushing for a starting spot after scoring off the bench last time out, but he would likely have to displace Brenner, who has netted seven MLS goals so far this campaign.

Toronto possible starting lineup:

Bono; Zavaleta, Mavinga, Lawrence; Auro, Laryea, Bradley, Delgado, Osorio; Mullins, Soteldo

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:

Tyton; Hagglund, Cameron, Vallecilla; Bailey, Stanko, Kubo, Matarrita; Acosta, Brenner, Cruz

We say: Toronto 1-1 FC Cincinnati

While Cincinnati got the better of Toronto in the last meeting, and the hosts' squad has been hit by injuries, they come into the game in better form, and we see that levelling the playing field.

The Reds will be desperate to continue their improvement and should have enough to avoid another defeat to the fellow strugglers.