CF Montreal vs. NYCFC Prediction, Preview and Odds - 7/7/21
CF Montreal vs. New York City
The MLS betting action continues Wednesday, July 7, with eight games around the league, including the Eastern Conference showdown between Club de Foot Montreal and New York City FC. The Pigeons head to Saputo Stadium in Montreal as -115 favorites, but the hosts are undefeated in four straight outings and will look for their first win over New York City since 2015, promising a great battle Wednesday night.
CF Montreal hopes for another strong defensive performance
Montreal is coming off a 1-0 home victory to Inter Miami this past Saturday. Wilfried Nancy’s boys recorded their second win in the last four outings along with a couple of draws against Nashville on the road, 1-1, and DC Unites at home, 0-0.
During that four-game stretch, CF Montreal has scored three goals in total while surrendering only one in a return. They sit at the eighth spot of the Eastern Conference standings with 16 points and a 12:10 goal difference. Montreal is third in the MLS in pass completion percentage (84.1%) and seventh in aerial duels won (53.2%).
Attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic leads the way for Club de Foot Montreal, tallying two goals and three assists in 11 appearances this season. Victor Wanyama is a key guy in the middle of the park when it comes to defending, and the former Southampton also has one goal on his tally. Montreal certainly needs more from its offense, as Bjorn Johnsen and Romell Quioto have combined for just three goals thus far.
New York City eyes its third straight win
The Pigeons wrapped up a three-game homestand on June 27, outlasting DC United 2-1 as -180 home favorites. It was their second win on the spin and third in the last four outings along with a 3-2 home defeat to New England.
New York City FC is now sitting at the fifth spot of the Eastern Conference table with 17 points and an 18:11 goal difference. In four outings away from home, the Pigeons have recorded a couple of wins along with a 2-1 defeat at DC United and a 1-1 draw at Orlando City.
Winger Jesus Medina commands the way for the Boys in Blue with five goals in ten appearances this term, while striker Valentin Castellanos and winger Ismael Tajouri-Shradi have added four goals each. Three players have recorded three assists so far this season, as the Pigeons have the second-highest scoring offense in the Eastern Conference.
The Pick:New York City to Win
The Pigeons are a better team than CF Montreal, at least on paper, and I’m expecting the visitors to satisfy the odds. They’ve dominated Montreal over the last few years, winning five of their previous eight encounters and drawing the other three.
New York City is one of the best offensive teams in the MLS. On the other side, Montreal mostly leans on its defense, and the hosts will certainly try to keep the ball in possession as much as they can, so we should see a tight contest at Saputo Stadium.
I would rely on New York City’s offense to make the difference. The Pigeons have won four of their previous five games at Montreal, so they should feel comfortable in this matchup.
The Total Prediction: Both Teams to Score YES
Both Teams to Score YES pay -141, and I think that’s a fair offer. Six of New York City’s last seven games produced goals on both sides, and I’ve already mentioned how dangerous the Pigeons’ offense is, so betting on BTTS YES seems like the best choice here.
The Pigeons have scored in each of their four road contests so far this term. On the other side, Montreal has conceded just one goal over its last four showings, and I think that’s going to change when they face off against the Pigeons’ powerful attack. Last season, New York outlasted Montreal at home, 3-1, and two of their previous four meetings saw both teams finding the back of the net.
