CF Montreal v. FC Cincinnati Betting Preview

With Cincinnati new to MLS in 2019, these teams have met just twice in league play. FC Cincinnati won both games, including a 1-0 away win in September 2019 with a first-minute goal from Allan Cruz. Saturday’s kickoff at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is set for 1:08 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Cincinnati Looking for a Breakthrough

The Orange and Blue rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the home opener on Sunday only to lose 3-2 on a goal by Gonzalo Higuain in the 85th minute. Jaap Stam’s side opened the brand new TQL Stadium with a point and a new lineup as he made six changes. 

Newcomer Geoff Cameron came in from Queens Park Rangers and partnered Exon Vallecilla in central defense, flanked by usual starters Ronald Matarrita and Joe Gyau. Cruz started as a holding midfielder with Yuya Kubo in a new role, and Brenner moved up top after starting as an attacking midfielder the game before.

The Orange and Blue have shuttled goalkeepers back and forth all season, with three players starting the four games. Kenneth Vermeer left LAFC in April and signed with FC Cincinnati, making his debut against Inter Miami. Cody Cropper made one start, and Przemyslaw Tyton started two of the first four games. 

Four different players have scored one goal each for FC Cincinnati, and Matarrita leads the team with two assists. FCC continues to give up a lot of shots and a lot of goals. The 10 shots allowed against Miami were a season-low, but they still gave up three goals. They have surrendered 13 goals in four games and have been outshot 85-36 with shots on goal at 36-11. 

Homeless Montreal Continue to Surprise

The three Canada-based MLS teams are still not allowed to play at home due to Canada’s COVID-19 regulations. CF Montreal have settled in south Florida under new manager Wilfried Nancy. Even with these challenges, Montreal has turned in multiple positive results to start the season in fifth place.

Nancy made three changes for last week’s game against Atlanta, with Clement Diop and Victor Wanyama back in the lineup and Mathieu Choiniere making his first start of the season. Newcomers Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire) and Bjorn Johnsen (Norway) have had a big impact with three goals between them on the season. 

Mason Toye and Johnsen both have two goals, while Romell Quioto leads the team with two assists. Diop has started five of the six games in goal, allowing seven goals and making 10 saves. 

Betting Analysis

CF Montreal is favored to win the matchup at -125, with FCC as a +335 underdog. A draw is +260. Over 2.5 goals is -148 with under 2.5 goals at +108.

Montreal has scored eight goals in six games while allowing seven goals, so they are used to the one-goal game, and they have two draws this season. FCC has scored just four goals while allowing a league-worst 13. They found the back of the net twice last week but scoring consistently has been an issue. Montreal won’t have a home-field advantage, so that could level the playing field, but they definitely have the edge in talent.