After all the anticipation, Frank Lampard will not be making his MLS debut for New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Sunday against Toronto.

The Chelsea legend has been ruled out after picking up an injury, per Bleacher Report UK:

However, Jason Kreis' side—who currently sit just outside of the play-off places in the Eastern Conference—can still be confident of claiming all three points, having won four of their last five matches after a terrible start to the season. 

Toronto, though, lie two places and three points ahead of City, and they will provide a stiff challenge. Read on for a full preview of an intriguing clash, along with scheduling and television details. 

Date: Sunday, July 12

Time: 3 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. BST

TV Info: Live on ESPN (US) and Sky Sports 1 (UK)

Live Stream: WatchESPN, Sky Go

Preview

Kreis' side made a shocking start to the MLS season, as they won just one of their first 13 matches.

However, they have had a pick-up in form of late, with one of their four recent victories a 2-0 win against Toronto in Canada in June.

On that occasion, David Villa scored both goals, and the Spaniard will be vital again in attack on Sunday.

Villa is in great form, having scored five in four matches, and he will be relishing the opportunity to face Toronto once again on home soil.

Lampard has spoken of his eagerness to eventually be playing alongside Villa—as well as future arrival Andrea Pirlo—and rightly so, as the 33-year-old is on fire, per the Champions League:

City have scored 20 goals in 18 matches so far this season, 10 of them coming in their last five matches, and they will hope to keep that form going.

Toronto's defence likely breathed a sigh of relief on hearing of Lampard's injury, but they are still in for a tough day at the office on Sunday.

City's own defence has been poor, as they have conceded 23 goals and have kept just two clean sheets. The arrival of Spanish defenders Andoni Iraola and Angelino could prove valuable, with the former's experience potentially very important.

While New York City FC look like a team on the up, Toronto head to Yankee Stadium in mixed form. They have won just one of their last four, most recently losing 4-0 to LA Galaxy.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup has seen them deprived of four key players, with midfielder Michael Bradley, forward Jozy Altidore, midfielder Jonathan Osorio and left-back Ashtone Morgan all away on international duty.

The goalscoring onus now falls on Sebastian Giovinco, who has had the sight of goal often this season, per WhoScored.com. However, he has only netted once in his four most recent appearances:

The Italian will surely need to be on target on Sunday if the Canadian outfit are to have a chance of prevailing in the Big Apple. 

City's recent form gives them the edge ahead of the Yankee Stadium clash, and the home fans will be eager to see their team record another victory.

The New York defence will have to be wary of the threat offered by Giovinco, but Villa could prove the game winner for the hosts. 

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