CF Montreal vs. New York Red Bulls MLS odds and prediction
The eighth week of Major League Soccer hits the turf this weekend with a massive lineup of games in store. CF Montreal will want to get out of the East’s bottom spot, while the Red Bulls continue the climb into the top seven, as both teams collide for an epic Saturday afternoon showdown.
Get ready for the kickoff at Saputo Stadium at 2:30 PM ET, where Montreal tries to win its first home game of the season.
CF Montreal vs. New York Red Bulls MLS Odds and Betting Trends
These teams met just over a month ago, where the Canadian side battered New York’s net with three unanswered goals. A brace from Montreal’s Wikelman Carmona sealed the game despite the Red Bulls’ 11 shots – five on target – and 64% possession, making it the third game in a row between these sides that ended in one team being shut out. This was also Montreal’s 13th win against NYRB as they now enter their 34th meeting in MLS history.
It’s a close encounter for both sides, but Montreal are the slight home favourites on the MLS odds board at +145, followed by the NYRB at +160. A draw is priced at +250.
New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls’ last major blunder was their 6-1 defeat to Charlotte last month, allowing four goals after going a man down in the 52′. Since then, they have sparked a three-game undefeated streak, beating Cincinnati at the start of April and drawing Inter Miami 2-2. They most recently secured a 3-1 victory over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the US Open Cup Round of 32, and their focus will shift back to getting revenge on the Canadian side. Three points for New York could see the team potentially leapfrog into second place.
Julian Hall nearly leads the MLS in scoring with five to his name already and is priced to score tonight at +165, but it’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting marked as the team’s most likely goalscorer at +145 despite just one goal this season.
CF Montreal
The Canadian squad continues to depreciate with four straight losses since their win against the Red Bulls. They have won one out of seven matches with five away losses as they settle at the bottom of the East with 19 goals allowed and a -11 goal differential – both of which are the second-worst in the MLS. The main light at the end of the tunnel for them in this matchup is that New York is the one side they beat already comfortably, and they now defend their home pitch in a rematch just five games later.
Failing to finish chances appears to be the source of their lackluster performances; look no further than their 17 shots in their 3-0 defeat to the Revolution on April 4. Prince Owusu (4) and Wikelman Carmona (3) have bagged seven of the team’s eight goals this season, making Montreal heavily reliant on a small set of personnel to score. Both players come in for this weekend’s game set to score at +110 and +340, respectively.
MLS Prediction: Who Will Win CF Montreal vs. New York Red Bulls?
While the Red Bulls assertively lost to Montreal last month with no goals to show for and started the season shaky, they’ve scored nine goals in their last three matches across all competitions from six different goalscorers.
Montreal’s defence needs a lot of work, and their offensive line is hardly diverse enough to give the Red Bulls real trouble – especially if Prince Owusu is locked down and counterattacks are mitigated.
Montreal may be at home tonight, but I’d say a Red Bulls +0.5 spread is a safe choice for this one. I also like both teams to score, putting an end to the three-game streak of one side getting shut out.