On Saturday, Saputo Stadium will host the first Canadian Classique of the 2022 Major League Soccer season as CF Montreal take on arch-rivals Toronto with kickoff at 2:30 pm.
Wilfried Nancy and his men have endured a tough pair of matches, being trounced 4-0 by the Los Angeles Galaxy and then squandering a one-goal lead to Sporting Kansas City, losing 2-1 last week.
Defensively, Nancy was happy with how they fared at home last weekend but frustrated at the same time because KC barely threatened but were gifted a pair of goals due to lapses in concentration from the home side.
While it is far from a disastrous situation in Le Belle Province as they currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference, this team are missing a consistent difference-maker capable of changing the complexion of a match.
Toronto FC remain the only winless road team in the Eastern Conference, as they lost to the Chicago Fire on Wednesday.
The Reds continue to inch closer to a dubious MLS record as they have now conceded at least once in 28 consecutive league games, the fourth-longest run ever in MLS. There are quality individuals who will suit up for this team soon, and given their road woes and struggles scoring away from home, those newcomers could be sorely needed.
Montreal vs Toronto Head to Head
Both sides have 49 games against each other with hosts taking 18 wins while visitors with 22 wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Montreal 1-2 Kansas City
- LA Galaxy 4-0 Montreal
- Seattle 1-2 Montreal
- Montreal 2-1 Charlotte
Away
- Chicago Fire 2-0 Toronto
- Toronto 2-2 San Jose Earthquakes
- Toronto 0-2 Seattle
- Columbus Crew 2-1 Toronto
Montreal Team News
Romell Quioto, Mihailovic and Lassi Lappalainen have each scored seven goals this season. Quito has five assists, Zachary Brault-Guillard made his 75th career appearance against the Reds last year and Samuel Piette, Joaquin Torres and Lappalainen all scored in a 3-1 victory at home over Toronto FC last season.
Toronto Team News
Toronto FC have terminated the contract of Carlos Salcedo, who is returning to his native Mexico. Meanwhile, Domenico Criscito made his first appearance for the team as a substitute Wednesday.
Prediction and Odds
Montreal do not have to worry about scoring goals on the road against a defence that has conceded the second-most goals in MLS (38) and is not as strong on their own pitch as they are away from home.
- Home Win
- Goals Over 1.3
- Both Teams to Score
