Two of Major League Soccer’s three Canadian members come face-to-face in the early hours of Sunday as Montreal take on Vancouver Whitecaps at the Saputo Stadium.
L’Impact have had a difficult time of things so far this season, with Laurent Courtois’ men sitting in 12th in the Eastern Conference and two points off of the playoff positions.
The Whitecaps have looked far stronger than their Quebecer counterparts and currently lie in 5th in the Western Conference, although they are 12 points behind leaders Los Angeles FC.
- VANCOUVER TO WIN
- RYAN GAULD TO SCORE OR ASSIST
- GEORGE CAMPBELL TO BE BOOKED
Whitecaps Can Continue Winning Streak
Vancouver have won each of their last two MLS matches - a thrilling 4-3 victory over St Louis City before a more routine 3-1 win against Minnesota - and the Whitecaps will feel confident that they can continue their good form against Montreal.
Vanni Sartini’s men possess the third best away record in the Western Conference, with 17 points taken away from their BC Place home, and they have conceded just 14 goals on the road - a tally that is only bettered by Columbus Crew, New York City, Charlotte and Atlanta.
Montreal’s home form has kept them within touching distance of the playoffs, however they head into this encounter on the back of just one win from their last six league matches.
This stuttering form could open the door for Vancouver to claim a famous victory in Montreal - where they have not won since 2017 - and, with four wins from their last six, this could be the best chance to break their losing streak in Quebec.
BEST BET: VANCOUVER TO WIN
Gauld Can Pick Up Goalscoring Mantle
While the 3-1 victory over Minnesota helped move the Whitecaps up the Western Conference table, a yellow card to joint-top goalscorer Brian White means that the striker will miss the meeting with Montreal through suspension.
However, Scottish winger Ryan Gauld should be able to fill the void amicably, with the 28-year-old’s nine goals in the MLS putting him on level terms with White this campaign.
Gauld also leads the way in terms of assists for the Whitecaps with seven and three of these came in the Minnesota victory. With Gauld in a real purple patch of form, expect the Scot to have a hand in at least one goal.
BEST BET: RYAN GAULD TO SCORE OR ASSIST
Campbell Could Fall Foul Of Officials
Given that the two clubs share a rivalry with each other - although Montreal’s fiercest rivals are fellow Canadian outfit Toronto - a fierce encounter could be on the cards in Quebec.
One man who could be in danger of facing the wrath of the referee is Montreal defender George Campbell, who ranks in the top ten in the division for yellow cards received with seven, and he may let the occasion get to him on derby day.
BEST BET: GEORGE CAMPBELL TO BE BOOKED
