CF Montreal vs. Columbus Crew odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s CF Montreal vs. Columbus Crew odds and lines, with MLS picks and predictions.

CF Montreal (16 wins, 9 losses, 4 draws) welcomes the Columbus Crew (9-6-13) to Saputo Stadium Friday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we preview the CF Montreal vs. Columbus Crew odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.

Columbus enters this match in 6th place in the Eastern Conference, but could drop out of playoff position with a loss and wins by New England and Cincinnati. The Crew are 0-2-1 against top-4 East sides on the road this season.

Columbus is coming off a 0-0 draw with the Chicago Fire and has drawn 4 of its last 5 matches. The Crew are led by 2021 All-Star M Lucas Zelarayán, who has 8 goals and 5 goals. Newcomer F Cucho has 8 goals in 11 appearances.

As for Montreal, it has been better on the road this season, posting a 7-5-2 record at home and an impressive 9-4-2 record on the road. Montreal is averaging 1.83 goals per game while allowing 1.55.

Despite allowing the most goals of any team in playoff position, CF Montreal does sit in a comfortable 2nd place. They’re led by 31-year-old star F Romell Quioto with 15 goals this season.

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CF Montreal vs. Columbus Crew 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 Thursday at 3:08  p.m.. ET.

  • Money line: CF Montreal -117 (bet $117 to win $100) | Columbus Crew +320 (bet $100 to win $320) | Draw +270
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)

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Prediction

CF Montreal 2, Columbus Crew 2

Money line (ML)

BET TIE OR COLUMBUS CREW (-120).

Instead of banking on a tie, which Columbus has been doing at a high rate this season, back the Crew here to either end this game with as many goals or more.

Columbus has lost just once since May 21, and between now and then, they have played teams like Philadelphia, Real Salt Lake, Toronto and NYCFC. Its lone loss was to Montreal, having 1 fewer shot.

Similarly, Montreal has strangely struggled at home, and while it has lost just once in August, it was at Saputo Stadium, where it 1-1-1 in its last 3 matches. Also Columbus should have more to play for in this battle.

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Over/Under (O/U)

LEAN OVER 2.5 (-125).

Montreal has a terrific offense and a struggling defense. CF Montreal is one of the more high-paced sides in the MLS, scoring the 2nd-most goals (53) in the East.

They sit 2nd to Philadelphia, which is the top scoring team (63 goals) in the conference. However, the Union have only allowed 21 goals in 30 matches while Montreal has allowed 45 in 29 games.

Columbus, while it was a strong Under play earlier in the season, has gone Over this total in 6 of its last 11. In its Aug. 3 loss to Montreal it topped this total.

Expect at least 3 goals netted in this match.

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Columbus Crew vs. CF Montreal odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Columbus Crew vs. CF Montreal odds and lines, with MLS picks and predictions.

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)

[tipico]

Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.

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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