FC Cincinnati at CF Montreal Betting Preview

For the first time since the pandemic began, Canadian teams in MLS are allowed to play home games against American-based teams. FC Cincinnati will be the first U.S.-based team to travel north of the border as they head to Stade Saputo Saturday to face CF Montreal. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on ESPN+.

Cincinnati has never lost to Montreal since joining MLS in 2019. Included in their 3-0-0 record is a 2-1 win back in May at a neutral site in Florida. Montreal is favored in their return home at +105 with FCC at +245, and a draw is +275.

Cincinnati Finding Its Form

This is the best run FCC has had since joining the MLS. Jaap Stam’s team is unbeaten over the last four games with two wins and two draws, their longest streak as an MLS club. It is quite the turnaround for a club that lost 14 of 17 matches dating back to last September before this streak began on June 23.

The Orange and Blue have come a long way since losing to NYCFC 5-0 on April 24. Stam switched formations in June, and since then, they are 2-2-1 (W-D-L) with six goals both scored and conceded.

Edgar Castillo and Luciano Acosta both scored in the 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew on Friday. Again this weekend, FCC will be without midfielder Allan Cruz, and defender Ronald Matarria as the duo represent Costa Rica in the Gold Cup. Last week they were replaced in the starting lineup by and Haris Medunajanin and Castillo.

The Argentine duo of Alvaro Barreal and Luiciano Acosta have powered FCC this season. They both have three goals, and Acosta has provided a pair of assists as well. The other boost over the last month has been the addition of former USMNT defender Geoff Cameron who brought his international and Premier League experience to the FCC back four.

Montreal Defense Playing Well

Montreal has won same-season consecutive matches for the first time since June 2019, and they haven’t won three in a row since July 2018. They beat Inter Miami 1-0 and NYCFC 2-1 in what was counted as home games but played at neutral sites. Montreal hasn’t lost since the 2-1 setback to FCC on May 22, with just two goals conceded in the five games since.

Montreal’s offense has been efficient when they score as they are one of two MLS teams to have an assist on every single non-penalty goal in 2021. Newcomer Djordje Mihailovic leads the team with four assists, and eight different players have at least one on the season.

Montreal has three players in the Gold Cup with midfielder Samuel Piette along with defender Kamal Miller on Canada. The duo has started a combined 14 games this season, and Piette has served as captain in all of his starts. Forward Romell Quioto has two goals and three assists in nine starts, and he will miss the game to play for Honduras.

Betting Analysis

CF Montreal ML +105. -0.5 goals (-115)
FCC ML +245. +0.5 goals (-125)
Draw (+275)
Total 2.5 goals. O +105 U -125
First goal: MTL -145 FCC +130 No Goal +900

Montreal has moved into fourth place in the Eastern Conference with their recent run, and only Seattle has allowed fewer goals (8) on the season. This is a game that could finish 0-0, but FCC has found their offensive form and have actually played better away from home so far this season. The Orange and Blue have three wins and two draws in seven road games, and a positive result on Saturday could move them into the top half of the East standings.