Two MLS teams looking to bounce back from defeat last time out will clash at the Saputo Stadium on Sunday, as CF Montreal hosts FC Cincinnati kickoff at 2:30 am.
Montreal Impact secured a 3-0 win at home to Forge FC in Thursday’s quarter-finals of the Canadian Championship. Teenage striker Sunusi Ibrahim scored a hat trick to help the five-time winners and current holders progress to the semi-finals, where they will face Toronto next month.
Montreal will now turn their attention back to the Eastern Conference, where they currently sit fourth in the table, four points behind league leaders Philadelphia Union.
Sunday’s contest will be the second of four consecutive home league matches for Montreal. The side wants to extend their unbeaten run against Cincinnati to four games, having won two and drawn one of their previous three meetings, scoring nine goals.
Last weekend, FC Cincinnati’s club-record four-game winning run ended as they suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to New England Revolution.
The Orange and Blue twice pegged the visitors back, with Brandon Vazquez and Alvaro Barreal getting their names on the scoresheet, but Tommy McNamara had the last laugh, netting in the 89th minute to seal all three points for New England.
Montreal vs. Cincinnati Head to Head
Both sides have two games against each other, with the hosts winless while the visitors with two wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Montreal 3-0 Forge
- Montreal 1-2 Real Salt Lake
- Nashville 2-1 Montreal
- Charlotte 0-2 Montreal
Away
- FC Cincinnati 2-3 New England Revolution
- Chicago Fire 1-2 Cincinnati
- New England Revolution 5-1 Cincinnati
- Minnesota 0-1 Cincinnati
FC Montreal Team News
Montreal is expected to make several changes to the side which won against Forge on Thursday, with Rudy Camacho and Kamal Miller set to replace Gabriele Corbo and Robert Orri Thorkelsson. The injuries of midfielders Tomas Giraldo and Mason Toye are still being monitored.
FC Cincinnati Team News
Cincinnati’s Ronald Matarrita, Ben Mines, and Ronaldo Ulate have all been ruled out with ankle injuries, while Calvin Harris and goalkeeper Alec Kann suffer leg and abdominal problems.
Prediction and Odds
Both sides will fancy their chances of claiming maximum points, but as little is to separate them, they may have to settle for an entertaining score draw.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- Goals Under 3.5
