Big-spending Toronto FC haven’t looked like MLS Cup contenders so far this season, but they’ll look to get on track on Saturday as they face rivals CF Montreal.
These two teams met in the Canadian Championship quarterfinals on Tuesday in Toronto, where a 2-1 Montreal win was marred by fighting in the stands. Le CFM have now strung together four straight victories to rally after only picking up three points from their first seven league games.
Toronto are desperately searching for that same kind of turnaround. The Reds’ loss to the New England Revolution last weekend made it just one win in their last seven league games, and they’re still waiting to see the best of the Lorenzo Insigne-Federico Bernardeschi pairing this season.
Check out our free CF Montreal vs. Toronto FC betting picks and predictions ahead of this Saturday, May 13 showdown.
CF Montreal vs Toronto FC best odds
CF Montreal vs Toronto FC picks and predictions
Major bragging rights are on the line on Saturday as the Eastern Conference’s two Canadian teams go head-to-head, and I’m expecting a tight, physical battle, especially after facing each other earlier in the week.
Montreal have unquestionably had Toronto’s number in this matchup in recent years, winning four of the last five MLS meetings, and they’ve seemingly turned the corner this season with three 2-0 wins in a row in the league. But a closer look shows that two of those victories came against the New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City, who are propping up their respective conferences.
That opens the door for the visitors to grab a share of the spoils here, even with an alarming injury list. Toronto have been draw specialists this season — six of their 11 league games have ended all square — and their defensive-minded midfield could turn this into a cagey, scrappy battle.
With the threat of Insigne and Bernardeschi on the counterattack and at set pieces, the visitors should create chances, and it’s hard to imagine Montreal getting out of sight on Saturday given that they’ve only scored nine goals in their 10 league games in 2023.
The Reds will still be smarting from Tuesday night’s loss, and I expect a hungrier, grittier performance here. I’m taking these tasty odds for Bob Bradley’s men to leave Stade Saputo with a point.
My best bet: Draw (+255 at Caesars)
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CF Montreal vs Toronto FC side analysis
Montreal start as slight favorites here, coming off a win in Toronto in midweek thanks to two goals in four first-half minutes at BMO Field. The formbook points to the hosts, who’ve clawed their way up the table over the past month as boss Hernan Losada puts his stamp on the team — and they’re getting big contributions from midfielder Mathieu Choimiere and strikers Chinonso Offor and Romell Quioto.
That said, I’ve already made the case for Toronto keeping this game close. Though the visitors have lacked fluidity without Michael Bradley and Jonathan Osorio, who are both out again here, I expect them to pack the midfield and challenge Montreal to break through. That formula has earned the Reds three draws on their travels this year.
After the crowd trouble at BMO Field this week, away fans have been banned from Saputo Stadium this weekend, but that should have minimal impact. The visitors’ big-name stars are experienced enough to handle that kind of atmosphere.
CF Montreal vs Toronto FC Over/Under analysis
This rivalry has served up some very different contests over the past few seasons, including a 4-3 thriller last September and a scrappier 1-0 scoreline earlier that year. The teams produced three goals in their midweek matchup and I like the look of the BTTS prop here as well.
Though neither club has been particularly prolific in the league this season (22 goals combined), Montreal have scored twice in each of their last four games and should have some favorable matchups on Saturday against a patched-up Toronto defense that’s likely to be without center-backs Sigurd Rosted, Shane O’Neill, and Matt Hedges.
Insigne netted for the Reds on Tuesday, and they piled up 20 shots against New England last weekend, but it’s worth noting that Montreal have bounced back impressively defensively after some nightmare early-season outings, including heavy losses to the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Revolution in early April.
The X-factor for the visitors could be striker C.J. Sapong, who benefits from all the attention directed to Insigne and Bernardeschi. He was the difference-maker in Toronto’s 1-0 win over New York FC last month.
CF Montreal vs Toronto FC game info
| Location: | Stade Saputo, Montreal, QC |
| Date: | Saturday, May 13, 2023 |
| Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | AppleTV+ |
CF Montreal vs Toronto FC key injuries
CF Montreal: Samuel Piette M (Questionable), Mason Toye F (Out).
Toronto FC: Sean Johnson G (Questionable), Raoul Petretta D (Questionable), Sigurd Rosted D (Doubtful), Shane O’Neill D (Doubtful), Michael Bradley M (Out), Jonathan Osorio M (Out), Matt Hedges D (Out), Alonso Coello M (Out).
CF Montreal vs Toronto FC weather
The Montreal forecast looks favorable for Saturday, with sunny conditions throughout the day and temperatures in the low 60s at kickoff.
