Montreal regression on the horizon
Cautious Club de Foot Montreal welcome New York City FC to Saputo Stadium in the Eastern Conference this Thursday, looking to break into the playoff spots that NYCFC find themselves inside just one point but three places above the hosts. Ronny Deila’s men come in as odds on favourites which comes as a bit of a surprise given Montreal’s four match unbeaten run but it is a team that I will be looking to get onside in a bet builder to combat this fixture. Both of these franchises are yet to make an MLS Cup final in their histories, but both have huge ambitions to attract big names from Europe and play a significant role in this ever growing football competition.
Background
Victor Wanyama in the centre of midfield for Montreal is the standout name career CV wise but the Kenyan has not been the same player since the injury issues he faced whilst at Tottenham Hotspur. The reason the outright is where it is for this fixture comes from from the underlying process of these two sides, Montreal have overperformed to be on the verge of the playoff spots and NYCFC have underperformed to not be closer to the summit of the Conference.
Montreal rank 11th in the 14 team Conference for expected goals, suggesting a slide down away from the playoffs is more likely given the quality of chances they are creating compared to that of the ones they are conceding. Montreal have scored 12 goals from 11.2 expected goals and overperformed to let in just 10 from 15.4. NYCFC on the other hand have scored 18 from 17.1 and conceded 11 from 8.6, posting the best expected goals against figures in all of MLS.
Goals?
There is a significant contrast between the two sides, Montreal looking leaky at the back and blunt going forward having only scored more than one goal on one occasion in their last nine matches. The Pigeons are looking very strong in the opening exchanges of this edition of MLS.
- Montreal have scored in five of ten.
- Montreal have conceded in four of ten.
- Montreal have seen both teams score in two of ten.
- Montreal have seen over 2.5 goals in one of ten.
- NYCFC have scored in ten of ten, every match this season so far.
- NYCFC have conceded in seven of ten.
- NYCFC have seen both teams score in seven of ten.
- NYCFC have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
Montreal are inferior opposition here, this double provides insurance and a few angles of attack.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Romell Quioto's winner scuppers us in this one, 2-1 Montreal.