DC United look to extend their unbeaten run, which currently stands at four, on Sunday evening, as they host Club de Foot Montreal at Audi Field (8pm ET). The visitors go in search of a first win in five matches, but how will this game play out? Read our predictions and picks at the end of this MLS match preview.
DC built on their away-day draw at Cincinnati last time out by clicking into offensive gear at Columbus, scoring four goals en route to victory. It’s now four games since DC tasted defeat, while they’ve lost just one of their last nine and even that was a defeat by just the one goal. It is clear that Hernan Losada’s men are not the easiest side to get the better of.
In contrast, the visitors have been going through something of a rough patch recently. They did earn a tie against Atlanta last time out, but that was their first point in four games. When they went six games without losing not that long ago, the Canadian franchise were being touted as serious play-off contenders, but now their fate seems much less certain. They have slipped to eighth in the Eastern Conference standings and are only one point in front of nearest pursuers New York Red Bulls.
Audi Field a fortress
DC United haven’t just been in decent form of late, they have been in outstanding form at home for some time. When they recently got the better of NYRB in their last match at this venue, Losada’s boys made it five homes wins on the spin. In fairness, only three of those were in domestic soccer, but such form is still very encouraging, as is the fact that they have conceded just one goal in their last three MLS games on home soil.
What is also impressive about DC at home is that they have given little away not just in terms of goals, but in terms of goal-scoring opportunities too. No team in the Eastern Conference has conceded fewer expected goals than Sunday’s hosts. They have conceded just 6.9 in seven home games, meaning that on average, they are surrendering fractionally less than enough to warrant conceding once per match, which by general MLS standards, is very good.
Away-day troubles for Montreal
When last in action on the road, Montreal tied with Nashville, but in truth they were lucky. They created far less than their opponents, who left the field with an expected goal supremacy of +1.7, putting up 2.5 xG to Montreal’s 0.8. Their efforts on that occasion were not uncommon, as playing away from home has presented the Canadians with problems, mainly of the offensive kind. They have struggled to match their opponents in terms of creativity, losing out in terms of expected goals in seven out of nine away games. This is partly why they have won only twice on their travels this term. The other reason is that they have struggled to keep teams at bay, keeping just one clean sheet, surrendering an average of 1.22 goals, which is probably less than they deserve to have conceded given that they’ve allowed an average of 1.56 expected goals.
Earlier encounter
This will be the second time that the pair have met this season. Around six weeks ago, they went head-to-head at Saputo Stadium. Neither could get on the scoresheet that day as the game finished 0-0. DC were the better team, but a lack of end-product prevented Sunday’s hosts from taking the spoils. That was the second goalless draw between the two since 2019, while at least one team has failed to score in seven of the last ten renewals of this fixture.
DC United vs CF Montreal: Where’s the bet?
DC are without the likely winners of this fixture, there are no two ways about it. Their striker Ola Kamara heads the first goalscorer market with the main USA sports betting companies. If you are looking for something likely and aren’t too bothered about price, then a home win is probably the way to go. The hosts have made a habit of winning at Audi Field in recent times, while crucially, their home efforts have been considerably better than Montreal’s on the road. DC pick up an average 2.14 points on home soil, while Club de Foot Montreal have acquired just 0.89 away from the comforts of home.
If you are more concerned with obtaining value for money, then the best play looks to be ‘Both Teams to Score – No’. As touched on in this preview above, we know that this is a fixture that has regularly produced games where one or no team finds the net. The reverse fixture which took place six weeks ago being a prime example.
In addition, both teams have scored in only two of DC’s seven home matches this season. They have a habit of keeping clean sheets, shutting the opposition out in three of their last six. Interestingly, no team in the east has conceded fewer goals than Sunday’s hosts, who’ve shipped an average of just 0.57 on their own patch. Moreover, both teams have found the net in just one of Montreal’s last five on the road.
So, coming to the concluding betting predictions for this DC United vs CF Montreal preview, there is just the one pick:
- Don’t expect both teams to score. Wager “both teams to score – no” @ -105 with Intertops. Next best is -110 with Bovada.
Bradley Gibbs writes on MLS and other global soccer leagues for USA Betting. He also pens betting guides and strategy. Bradley has written for numerous sites and publications including Just Bookies and the Racing & Football Outlook.