Preview: Toronto vs. CF Montreal - prediction, team news, lineups

CF Montreal will look to keep a hold of their playoff place in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference standings on Saturday, when they travel to take on Toronto.

22 Oct 2021, 01:25 · Sports Mole

The visitors currently occupy sixth spot but remain just a point ahead of eighth-placed New York City, meaning a run of results is vital in the final straight of the regular season.

Match preview

After reaching the playoffs last season, Toronto have had to battle through a difficult campaign this time around, and they have already seen their hopes of a top-seven finish wither away.

However, the Reds did manage to earn some pride in a vastly improved run at the end of September, as they collected 10 points from four MLS games thanks to wins over Nashville SC, FC Cincinnati and Chicago Fire.

Before that, Toronto picked up just 15 points from the first 24 games of the season to drop to the foot of their Conference, but they would have hoped to at least end the campaign in style to build confidence for next term.

Their form has since taken another dip though, with the positive run followed by consecutive defeats to Atlanta United and Inter Miami heading into Saturday, with the latter thrashing Javi Perez's men 3-0 thanks to goals from Federico Higuain, Christian Makoun and an Eriq Zavaleta own goal.

In their hopes to end the campaign on a high, they will look to get back to winning ways against a Montreal side who will be desperate to cling onto their spot in the top seven.

After several disappointing finishes in recent years, Montreal have impressed this time around, holding a playoff place for the majority of the campaign.

With 37 points from the first 25 league games, Wilfried Nancy's side undoubtedly looked in a strong position to qualify for this season's playoffs, but a slight dip in form has seen their spot come into question.

They have now collected just five points from their last five matches, with a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United providing a crucial rebound after consecutive MLS defeats.

Montreal now head into Saturday's game following back-to-back draws, having first rescued a point against Philadelphia Union thanks to Sunusi Ibrahim's 95th-minute equaliser, before sharing the spoils with Orlando City last time out.

A trip to the fourth-placed Lions proved a tough task for Nancy's men, and they will have been pleased to leave with a point after Rudy Camacho's equaliser, and the emphasis will now be on making a return to winning ways to remain ahead of the chasing pack in the final matches of the season.

Toronto Major League Soccer form:

Toronto form (all competitions):

CF Montreal Major League Soccer form:

CF Montreal form (all competitions):

Team News

Toronto remain without several players through injury, as Ifunanyachi Achara, Dom Dwyer, Ayo Akinola, Omar Gonzalez and Tsubasa Endoh will all continue spells on the sidelines.

They will be boosted by several returns though, as Auro Jr and Marco Delgado will both come back from suspensions, while Chris Mavinga was fit enough to make the bench last time out after a spell out through injury.

Following the attack's failure to fire for the second consecutive game, experienced forward Jozy Altidore will be pushing for a return to the starting XI, while Delgado will have to fight for his place with the likes of Michael Bradley, Jonathan Osorio and Noble Okello.

Montreal have several injury issues of their own, as important forward Mason Toye, who has netted seven goals in 14 MLS appearances, will miss out alongside midfielder Ahmed Hamdy.

In the absence of Toye, the line should again be led by Matko Miljevic, who netted their first goal in the 2-2 draw with Philadelphia Union.

Toronto possible starting lineup:
Bono; Laryea, Zavaleta, Lawrence, Morrow; Bradley, Delgado; Soteldo, Pozuelo, Shaffelburg; Altidore

CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Pantemis; Struna, Camacho, Miller; Brault-Guillard, Maciel, Piette, Bassong; Mihailovic, Miljevic, Torres

We say: Toronto 1-2 CF Montreal

Given the struggles of the home side and Montreal's need for a victory, we see the visitors leaving with all three points on Saturday.

The Reds' campaign looks to be coming to a disappointing end, and they could be outfought by a side who have far more to battle for at this stage.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data

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