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

In search of a third consecutive Major League Soccer triumph, CF Montreal play host to DC United at the Saputo Stadium on Sunday morning.

On the other hand, the away side make the journey aiming to end a two-game losing streak and a run of four matches since their last victory.

Match preview

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CF Montreal made it six away victories on the bounce by narrowly beating New England Revolution 1-0 at the Gillette Stadium on September 18.

Despite being in the ascendancy for the majority of the contest, Wilfried Nancy's men had to wait until the 72nd minute for the pressure to pay off as Alistair Johnston broke the deadlock with a fine finish.

While they remain in second place, L'Impact have now moved to within five points of Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union at the top of the standings.

Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit with just one win in the most recent six encounters between the teams, losing four of them.

Ahead of their regular season finale against Inter Miami seven days later, Sunday's hosts will be aiming to close out their home campaign with a dominant display.

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In keeping with their recent struggles on home turf, DC United fell to an agonising 3-2 defeat against Inter Miami at the Audi Field a fortnight ago.

Wayne Rooney's men took the lead through Christian Benteke, but a brace from Leonardo Campana turned the game on its head before Taxiarchis Fountas drew his side level, only for Gonzalo Higuain to net a 94th-minute winner.

Having picked up just two of the last 12 points available, the Black-and-Red remain rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

Currently with the worst defensive record on the road this term, Sunday's visitors will be wary of being picked apart away from home once again.

Team News

Bjorn Johnsen is yet to fully recuperate from a foot injury and the Montreal forward is expected to be unavailable for this weekend's clash.

Thirty-eight-year-old Kei Kamara has been directly involved in four goals in his last four home appearances for the hosts, making him one to keep an eye on.

DC United's Bradley Smith continues to battle with a ruptured cruciate ligament which has seen him fail to feature since the first week of July.

The away side will also have to cope with the absence of Adrian Perez and Bill Hamid, who are currently nursing foot and fingers injuries respectively.

Rooney has also confirmed that his side will be without Fountas, who is under investigation for alleged racist language towards Inter Miami's Damion Lowe.

CF Montreal possible starting lineup:

Breza; Miller, Camacho, Waterman; Choiniere, Mihailovic, Wanyama, Piette, Johnston; Kamara, Quioto

DC United possible starting lineup:

Ochoa; Odoi-Atsem, Pines, Birnbaum, Najar; Paisson, Morrison; Durkin, Berry, Rodriguez; Benteke

We say: CF Montreal 3-1 DC United

The teams have been porous at the back all-season long so we are anticipating an open contest with goals at both ends. That said, we also expect Montreal to have enough about themselves to emerge victorious in the end.

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