The Columbus Crew (7 wins, 5 losses, 9 draws) welcome CF Montreal (11-8-3) to Lower.com Field Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Columbus Crew vs. CF Montreal odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
CF Montreal and the New York Red Bulls came into this week tied for 3rd place in the Eastern Conference with 36 points through 22 matches. Montreal, however, has given up 36 goals, the 5th-most in the East and 2nd-most of teams in the top 6.
Montreal has also scored 36 goals and is led in scoring by 30-year-old F Romell Quioto with 9. Montreal is 5-4-2 on the road this season and is 2-2-0 over its last 4 away matches.
Columbus, which has allowed the 2nd-fewest goals in the East (22), will return home after playing under half an hour in a rain-delayed game in Charlotte last Saturday. The game was finally called after hours of waiting out a thunderstorm.
The Crew haven’t lost since May 21 and post a 4-3-3 home record. They’ve drawn 3 of their last 4 home matches. Columbus is led in scoring by F Derrick Etienne and M Lucas Zelarayán, each with 5 goals and 5 assists on the season.
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Columbus Crew vs. CF Montreal 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 Tuesday at 7:01 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Columbus Crew -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | CF Montreal +285 (bet $100 to win $285) | Draw +260
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Prediction
Columbus Crew 1, CF Montreal 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN DRAW (+260).
This is where the value is on the money line. The Crew should not be heavy favorites in this match and have been a drawing machine at home over the last month.
Columbus has had more expected goals than its opponent in all 3 of its recent home matches and has come out on top just once. Even if it is the better side, it hasn’t taken advantage of the opportunities.
Montreal drew the 2nd-best club in the conference, NYCFC, at home in its last match and hasn’t lost since early July, winning 2 straight prior to the draw.
Montreal is 4-3-1 against East playoff teams this season as well. Given how even matched this game should be played, I’d lean the draw.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (-110).
Montreal is a score-heavy side, but the opposite can be said of Columbus. The Crew have scored 27 (1.29 per game) and given up 22 (1.05 per game). They have gone over this mark in just 3 of their 10 home matches as well.
As for Montreal, its offense has cooled as of late as well, having scored just 4 goals in its last 5 matches. It has just 8 goals in its last 8 matches, so this has been a consistent trend.
The Crew have allowed their opponent under 1 expected goal in 4 straight home matches. They should again set the pace and help this total go under 2.5, my favorite bet in this Eastern Conference battle.
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