CF Montreal vs. Houston Dynamo Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 11/3/21
CF Montreal vs Houston Dynamo
CF Montreal was defeated by the New York Red Bulls 1-0 on Saturday. Montreal battled for the first 90 minutes in a scoreless match but gave up a goal to the Red Bulls in the second-half stoppage time to lose. Montreal is winless in each of its last four matches that includes one loss and three draws. Montreal will play without Rob Thorkelsson, Mason Toye, and Jean Aniel Assi, while Romell Quioto and Victor Wanyama are questionable.
Houston Dynamo was defeated by the Colorado Rapids 1-0 on Sunday in their most recent MLS fixture. The Dynamo took 12 shots with 6 on target but could not put any past Colorado keeper William Yarbrough, who stopped all six shots he faced from the Dynamo. Houston has lost each of its last three matches. Houston will play without Corey Baird and Mateo Bajamich while Teenage Hadebe and Derrick Jones are questionable.
CF Montreal remains mathematically alive
With two matches left in the MLS regular season, CF Montreal is 10th in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 11-10-11, 43 points, and a +2 goal difference. Montreal is three points behind the seventh-place New York Red Bulls, who currently hold the last postseason spot. Montreal has a chance, albeit small, to qualify for the postseason if the club can take all six points from its remaining two matches and have clubs in front of them in the standings draw or lose their remaining matches.
Montreal has scored 44 goals for an average of 1.38 goals per match, while the club has allowed 42 goals for an average of 1.31 goals per match. The leading goal scorer is Romeo Quioto, who is questionable, with 8, while Mason Toye, who is out injured has scored seven. Three teammates have
scored four goals apiece. Djordie Mihalovic has 13 assists to lead Montreal. Goalkeeper Sebastian Breza has appeared in six matches for Montreal and has allowed six goals.
Houston out of playoff contention
Houston is 12th or next to last in the MLS Western Conference standings with a record of 6-12-15, 30 points and a -16 goal difference. Houston has already been eliminated from playoff contention as the Dynamo are 16 points behind the seventh place New York Red Bulls and only have a possible three points left. Houston has just one victory in its last seven matches and the Dynamo have been held scoreless in 4 of the last 7.
Houston has scored 36 goals this season for an average of 1.09 goals per match and the Dynamo have allowed 52 goals for an average of 1.58 goals per match. Fabrice Picault is the leading goal scorer for Houston with 11 and Maximiliano Urruti has scored seven. Picault leads Houston in assists with 4 and Griffin Dorsey has three. Goalkeeper Michael Nelson has appeared in 11 matches for Houston and has allowed 17 goals.
Pick: CF Montreal -159
CF Montreal has far more to gain as well as lose in this matchup on Wednesday against Houston. Montreal is mathematically alive for a postseason berth while Houston has already been eliminated from postseason contention. Houston is allowing an average of 1.58 goals per match and scoring an average of only 1.09 goals per match. The Dynamo are winless in each of their 15 matches this season on the road with 5
draws and 10 losses. Playing on its home pitch this season, Montreal is unbeaten in 11 of 14 matches.
Total: Under
The total has finished under the 2.5 goals per match threshold in each of Montreal's last three matches. Houston was shut out in its most recent match against Colorado with only one goal scored in the match and the Dynamo have scored one goal or less in each of their last three matches and this season are scoring an average of only 1.09 goals per match. Montreal is allowing an average of only 1.31 goals per match and has allowed one goal in each of its last three matches.