CF Montreal vs. Toronto FC Preview: MLS Odds and Prediction

Jordan Ramsay
Last Updated: 10 hours ago

After a long layoff, MLS action resumes on Thursday night with CF Montreal hosting Toronto FC in the 66th iteration of the Canadian Classique.

Both teams sit outside of the playoff picture, tied at 14 points apiece. Montreal went into the break off a wild 4-4 draw with D.C. United, while TFC was dumped 2-1 by Chicago.

CF Montreal vs. Toronto FC MLS odds and betting trends

Montreal enters as a sizeable -105 favourite to win on the three-way moneyline, with Toronto a +240 underdog and a draw priced at +270. The total is listed at 2.5, with the Over favoured at -175. That largely comes down to both teams’ negative goal differentials, with Montreal sitting at minus-nine and Toronto sitting at minus-seven.

Unsurprisingly, neither team is particularly favoured on the MLS futures board, with Montreal +15,000 to win the league and Toronto +10,000. However, you can still back a legit Canadian side in last year’s MLS Cup runners-up Vancouver (+600).

CF Montreal

Montreal enters Thursday on a three-match winless streak in MLS action. Under interim manager Philippe Eullaffroy, the team has only lost one of their last four MLS games, however, a fourth straight game without a win would match their longest streak all season. There’s room for some optimism as Le CFM are only four points out of a playoff spot and they hold a game in-hand over both Columbus and D.C. United. Montreal is also unbeaten in two of their last three games against TFC, including a 1-1 draw at BMO Field last August.

There are a few injury issues to look out for as Josh Nteziryayo, Bode Hidalgo and Fabian Herbers each recover from lower-body ailments. Prince Owusu continues to lead the attack. Owusu has posted team-highs in both goals (nine) and assists (five) after recording a hat trick last time out against D.C.

Toronto FC

The break and reset couldn’t have come at a better time for TFC, who have suffered four straight losses across all competitions. Whichever way you look at it, it hasn’t been pretty. Toronto has dropped points in their last eight MLS games and they’ve lost five of their last six league games away from home, including three straight. The one kernel of hope is that TFC has won their last two games against Montreal at Saputo Stadium.

Health is part of the problem for Toronto at the moment. Deandre Kerr is questionable with a sore thigh, while Markus Cimermancic is dealing with an adductor injury. They join a list of the walking wounded that includes Lazar Stefanovic (sore foot), Djordje Mihailovic (pelvic problem), Matheus Pereira (groin), Benjamin Kuscevic (groin), Richie Laryea (thigh strain) and Josh Sargent (thigh).