Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal MLS Betting Odds, Picks: Herons open as heavy favourites
Inter Miami faces off with another Canadian opponent this Saturday, as CF Montreal heads south to take on Lionel Messi and company.
The hosts sit in second place in the Eastern Conference with 39 points through 21 matches, while the visitors are second-to-last in the East, capturing just 21 points in 21 games. Although there is a clear favourite in this matchup, the Herons are in a major slump.
On the flip side, Montreal is unbeaten in four consecutive matches, and they played extremely well in their 1-0 home defeat to Miami on July 25. Inter Miami needed an 81st-minute penalty kick from Luis Suarez to win that one, and they could be in for another cagey affair on Saturday.
Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal MLS Odds and Betting Trends
Inter Miami are once again notable home favourites, as they carry -280 odds on the three-way moneyline, and Inter Miami to win by 2+ goals has -120 odds. Meanwhile, the draw is priced at +450, and Montreal is a +500 road underdog. The Over/Under sits at 3.5 goals, but the Over is juiced to -155, while the Under has +120 odds.
To no one’s surprise, Lionel Messi is an odds-on favourite to score at -245 odds. The Barcelona legend was the lone goal scorer for Inter Miami last week, and he now has 15 goals this season. However, both Luis Suarez (+105 to score) and German Berterame (+105 to score) aren’t far behind, and with the Over/Under at 3.5, there should be plenty of scoring.
Inter Miami
I discussed this in my preview last week, but I went ahead and ignored my own analysis. This Inter Miami squad is playing extremely poorly; not only are they winless in five consecutive games in all competitions, but they’re allowing goals at an alarming rate. Toronto scored two last weekend, marking just the second time all season where they’ve scored 2+ goals on the road. Inter Miami has now allowed 2+ goals to opponents in seven consecutive games and in nine of their last 10 matches in all comps.
I can talk about Messi just as much as the next guy, but the fact of the matter is that he needs support to make another playoff run. The 39-year-old has a goal or assist in four of Miami’s last five matches in all comps, and he has a goal or assist in 10 of the 13 matches this season where he’s played 90 minutes. I can always get behind Messi to be involved with a goal, but I also love the angle of Miami continuing to allow goals.
CF Montreal
The visitors enter this match on the opposite side of the spectrum, as they are all but eliminated from playoff contention, but they’re playing extremely well lately. They just fought the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 2-2 draw, as Prince-Osei Owusu scored the equalizing goal in the 79th minute. This is the fourth consecutive game in which the Ghanaian forward has found the back of the net, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he continues his hot run. He leads the team with 13 goals in 20 MLS matches, and the team doesn’t have a true second option, as their next highest scorer has just four goals.
The main issue for Montreal this season hasn’t been a lack of scoring, as they’ve scored 29 goals in 21 matches. However, they’ve allowed 39 goals in the span, which seems like a ton, but Miami has actually allowed 40 goals in 21 matches. So, the best way for Montreal to stay competitive is by turning this match into a shootout. Now, that’s not always the best strategy when facing a Miami squad that can score at will, but it’s much better than just sitting in and praying that Messi and company don’t break them down over 90 minutes.
MLS Prediction: Who will win Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal?
Best bet: Prince-Osei Owusu to score (+165)
Miami SHOULD win this game, but that doesn’t mean they will. Therefore, I’ll back Owusu to find the back of the net as my best bet. Montreal’s main man has scored in four straight games and created two big chances against Inter Miami in their meeting on July 25
. With how bad Inter Miami’s defence has been, I can’t confidently back them to grab three points, so I expect a high-scoring, free-flowing match on Saturday.
Final score prediction: Inter Miami 3 | CF Montreal 2