CF Montreal vs. NY Red Bulls Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 8/14/21
CF Montreal was defeated by DC United 2-1 on Sunday. After winning three straight matches to start July, Montreal has taken only one point from the last 5 matches that included one draw and four losses. The only point during that stretch was taken from a 2-2 draw at home August 4 against Atlanta. Montreal has allowed two goals in each of its last four matches and last won on July 17 at home against FC Cincinnati 5-4. Montreal will play without Clement Diop, Ballou Table, Romell Quioto and Lassi Lappalainen
The New York Red Bulls were defeated by Chicago Fire 2-1 at Soldier Field in the Windy City on Sunday. Tom Barlow scored a late goal for New York in second-half stoppage time. The Red Bulls are winless in each of their last 6 matches and this is the longest winless streak for New York since 2017 when the Red Bulls went eight straight matches without winning. New York will play without Aaron Long, Youba Diarra and Cameron Harper, while Danny Royer and Andres Reyes are questionable.
Montreal Needs More Scoring from Frontline
Montreal is eighth in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with a record of 6-5-7, 23 points and 0 goal difference. The last two goals scored by Montreal were by defenders Zachary Brault-Guillard and Rudy Camacho. Prior to those two goals only one of the previous 45 goals by Montreal was scored by defenders. Montreal has scored two or fewer goals in five of the last six matches.
The leading goal scorer for Montreal is Mason Toye with 7, while Djordje Mihalovic has scored three and five other teammates have scored two goals each. The assists leader with five is Mihailovic, while Romell Quioto (injured) and Joaquin Torres each has three. James Patemis has taken over from the injured Clement Diop in goals and has made nine appearances with 13 goals allowed.
Red Bulls Need More Punch Up Front
New York is 9th in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with a record of 5-4-8, 19 points and a -1 goal difference. The New York Red Bulls are winless in each of their last six matches and have scored an average of only 0.83 goals per match over that span. Prior to the six-match winless run, New York won three out of its previous five and averaged 1.60 goals per match.
Caden Clark and Cristian Casseres Jr. are the leading goal scorers for New York with four each, while Fabio and Patryk Klimala have scored three goals apiece. The leader in assists for the Red Bulls is Fabio with five and Klimala has four. Carlos has appeared in all 18 matches for the New York Red Bulls this season and has allowed 22 goals or an average of 1.22 per match
Pick: CF Montreal +129
Both CF Montreal and New York have struggled of late to put the ball in the net. Montreal is unbeaten in 9 matches at home versus the Red Bulls with 7 victories and two draws. That includes wins in each of the last five matches at home dating back to 2012. The Red Bulls have had issues scoring as New York is averaging only 0.83 goals per match over the last six matches played with no wins during that stretch. The Red Bulls have won just one of the last four matches played on the road, while Montreal has three wins and two draws in its last five matches at home.
Total: Over
The total has finished over the 2.5 goals per match threshold in each of Montreal's last four matches and in six of the last seven. Montreal is allowing an average of 2.0 goals per match over the last six matches played while New York is allowing an average of 1.67 goals per match over the last three.
