Two Canadian sides on the outskirts of the MLS playoff chase meet in Quebec on Saturday night.
After a brilliant start, Toronto FC have faded and they’ve slipped down to eighth in the Eastern Conference.
They are narrowly ahead of Montreal, but the hosts could leapfrog Toronto with a victory this weekend. Given the visitors’ struggles, will their slide down the table continue?
- MONTREAL TO WIN
- JOSEF MARTINEZ TO SCORE
- MONTREAl tTO WIN 3-1
Another Defeat Looms For Toronto
New boss John Herdman had a bright start in Toronto, but things have quickly spiralled with the side winning just once since late May. They head into this visit to Montreal having lost eight of their last nine matches - including a shock Canadian Championship loss to Forge.
A 3-1 loss to Inter Miami last weekend has Toronto outside of the top seven and in the Wild Card spots, meaning that they need to shape up in order to secure a return to the MLS postseason.
Toronto have the worst away record in the Eastern Conference, claiming just nine points from 13 games on the road this season. They’ve suffered eight defeats on their travels, with Herdman’s side losing five away games on the bounce going into this weekend.
Montreal have been in mixed form of late, which has left them level on points with Toronto.
However, they’ve strung together a seven-game unbeaten run at home, including two wins from their last three at their own ground. Given that, the hosts look good for another victory against the struggling visitors.
MONTREAL TO WIN
Martinez To Build On Brace
Montreal picked up a 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls last weekend and forward Josef Martinez was on hand with a brace to help them depart with a point.
The Venezuelan forward twice brought his side back level, taking him to five goals for the campaign.
Montreal have been pretty middle of the road when it comes to scoring, but they lack a clear number one option up top. Martinez could be the man to step into that role, having proven himself in MLS with Atlanta.
Martinez is still only 31 and the striker is on course for his best goal return since 2021 after a strong start.
He’s scored four times across his last eight MLS games and the forward should relish meeting a Toronto side who can’t stop leaking goals.
JOSEF MARTINEZ TO SCORE
Bet On The MLS
Comfortable Win For Hosts
Toronto have conceded 23 goals across their last nine, while they’ve conceded three or more in all but one of their last four MLS away trips.
Half of Montreal’s home victories this term have come by two clear goals, while Toronto have lost by two or more on seven occasions already.
While the visitors have seen both teams score in five of their last six, they’re conceding too many to make anything out of that.
As a result, this looks like a comfortable home win. A 3-1 victory for Montreal appeals, with the hosts managing only one clean sheet in their last seven.
MONTREAl TO WIN 3-1
