New York City FC (12 wins, 4 losses, 5 draws) visits Stade Saputo Saturday to take on CF Montreal (11-8-2). Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we preview the CF Montreal vs. New York City FC odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
After a horrific 4-game stretch in which NYCFC allowed 10 goals June 26-July 9, it has put things back together, recording 3 consecutive clean sheets. New York has a league-leading 11 clean sheets – Philadelphia and Chicago are tied for 2nd with 9.
NYCFC has won 4 straight, including 2 on the road. The away side is led by F Valentín Castellanos, who is one of the league’s most electric players. Entering Friday, the 23-year-old is tied for the most MLS goals this season (13) wtih fellow Argentine Sebastian Driussi, a forward for Austin FC.
Montreal is led by F Romell Quioto, who has 9 goals. Montreal is 1 of 3 teams to have recorded less than 3 clean sheets.
New York City FC beat CF Montreal 4-1 in their 1st head-to-head match this season back in March. However, Montreal is on a 2-game winning streak and 6-4 at home.
NYCFC and Montreal rank 1-2 in in the East with the most goals at 41 and 36, respectively. But Montreal has allowed the 4th-most (36), while New York ranks second defensively (21) – Philadelphia has allowed the least in the East (15).
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CF Montreal vs. New York City FC odds, lines, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9:10 p.m. ET.
- Money line: CF Montreal +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | New York City FC +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Draw +265
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -155 | U: +122)
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Prediction
New York City FC 2, CF Montreal 1
Money line (ML)
BET NEW YORK CITY FC (+165).
Simply put, NYCFC is the better team.
Montreal lost at home to 1st-place Philadelphia earlier this season and doesn’t have a home win against a top-4 club in either conference. Its 3 other home setbacks are to Austin (2nd in the West), Real Salt Lake (4th in the West) and Sporting Kansas City (last in the West).
Three of NYCFC’s 4 road wins came against top-5 clubs with victories over the New York Red Bulls (3rd in the East), Minnesota (3rd in the West) and FC Dallas (5th in the West).
New York City FC’s 126 shots on target lead the MLS. To make matters worse for the home side, Montreal has the league’s 2nd-lowest save percentage (57.6%).
NYCFC has won 4 of 9 road matches, so at this value, I’d back the away side.
Over/Under (O/U)
AVOID.
I usually don’t like passing on plays, but this is one I’d stay far away from. New York’s defense has shown flaws this season, while Montreal has one of the worst backlines in the MLS.
However, when Montreal faced East-leading Philly this season, it tied 1-1 and lost 2-1.
As for New York, it has gone Under 2.5 in 6 of its 9 road matches.
While I don’t hate the Under, Montreal has only been shut out 3 times, so I’d ultimately PASS here. Over (-155) is just far too pricey.
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