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

In a battle of the basement boys in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer, CF Montreal will welcome DC United to Saputo Stadium on Sunday.

The hosts sit 14th in the East with 19 points from 26 matches, and they are tied on points with DC United, but the visiting side are a place below their opponents on goal difference.

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Match preview

After their ouster in the Leagues Cup, CF Montreal returned to domestic action, but they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Atlanta United.

Dante Sealy put the Impact ahead in the 40th minute, but his effort was cancelled out by Aleksei Miranchuk three minutes from time to deny them a much-needed victory last time out.

Ahead of that fixture, Marco Donadel’s team were looking for back-to-back wins for the first time in 2025, and their second victory in front of their fans in 2025, but they could not get themselves over the line.

There are a myriad of issues that have plagued their 2025 campaign, but their poor home form, which has seen them emerge victorious in one of their last 12 fixtures, along with atrocious defending, have been the biggest factors.

Entering this fixture at the weekend, improvements are needed at both ends of the pitch if they are to record their first victory in front of the home crowd for the first time since June 25.

Meanwhile, DC United are facing challenges of their own, having failed to register a victory in 11 competitive fixtures.

Last time out, they suffered a 2-0 loss to New England Revolution, extending their losing streak in the league to five matches and their winless run to nine games.

Troy Lesesne was brought in to stem the rot, but the Swiss is struggling to make a mark since his appointment on July 16.

A defeat on Sunday will make it their tenth loss away from home this term, a situation the fans will be dreading.

Having earned a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture, Lesesne and his charges could draw some inspiration from that going into this fixture on Sunday

CF Montreal Major League Soccer form:

CF Montreal form (all competitions):

DC United Major League Soccer form:

DC United form (all competitions):

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Team News

An ankle injury may keep Jalen Neal out of the Montreal team this weekend, while Fabian Herbers is likely to be left out due to an upper-body issue.

Similarly, Samuel Piette is dealing with an upper-body injury of his own, and that will leave him on the sidelines this weekend.

Albanian Giacomo Vrioni is suffering from an unspecified injury, and he is not expected to be part of the squad for this weekend’s clash.

Meanwhile, American Kristian Fletcher is stricken with a knee injury that has kept him in the stands for some time, as is Joao Peglow.

Lukas McNaughton is another player who will miss out on the contest as a result of a thigh concern.

CF Montreal possible starting lineup:

Gillier; Petrasso, Alvarez, Morales, Bugaj; Loturi, Synchuk, Craig; Clark, Owusu, Sealy

DC United possible starting lineup:

Kim; Herrera, Bartlett, Rowles, Schnegg; Kijima, Hopkins, Enow, Leal; Benteke, Pirani

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We say: CF Montreal 1-1 DC United

Both sides have struggled in the current campaign, with not much to separate them. We predict that this fixture will end in a 1-1 draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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