Preview: CF Montreal vs. Inter Miami - prediction, team news, lineups

Inter Miami will want to put a poor run of form behind them when they face CF Montreal in MLS on Saturday.

The Herons are 12th in the Eastern Conference and are yet to find their feet under Phil Neville, while Montreal are ninth and on the brink of a playoff place.

Match preview

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Inter Miami took the lead in their last outing against Orlando City through substitute Gonzalo Higuain but conceded twice in the final 17 minutes to lose 2-1. It was a fourth successive defeat for Neville's side, who have won just two of their opening 10 games of the campaign.

However, both of those victories have come away from home, against Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati, meaning they may be pleased to be back on their travels. They need to improve their attacking output, because only Chicago Fire (seven) and Austin FC (six) have scored fewer goals in the 2021 MLS campaign so far than Inter Miami (nine).

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After scoring six goals in their opening two games, CF Montreal have found the back of the net just five times in their last eight matches.

Last weekend they drew 1-1 with Nashville SC, taking the lead just after the hour mark through Kiki Struna before Abu Danladi scored a 94th-minute equaliser; it was the Canadian outfit's second successive draw and left them with one win in their last five matches.

Due to Covid-19 cross border restrictions imposed by the Canadian government, Montreal are currently playing their 'home' games in the United States.

So far Wilfried Nancy's side have ground-shared at Inter Miami's DRV PNK Stadium and won just one of four matches, but this fixture will be played at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.

It is the first of three successive 'home' games for Montreal, but they will all be played in different places; after Saturday, they face New York City in Orlando and then FC Cincinnati in Fort Lauderdale.

This will be only the third meeting between the sides and CF Montreal have won the previous two, including a 2-0 victory earlier this season when Bjorn Johnsen got a brace.

Team News

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Zorhan Bassong and Victor Wanyama are both set to return for CF Montreal after missing the draw with Nashville through suspension.

Goalkeeper Clement Diop is expected to still be sidelined following an injury he picked up in the closing stages against DC United.

Teenage striker Sunusi Ibrahim has been called up to the Nigerian squad for a friendly against Mexico, so Bjorn Johnsen should come back into the side.

Inter Miami will also welcome back two players from suspension: Ryan Shawcross and Gregore.

Gonzalo Higuain's goal off the bench against Orlando City may earn him a place in the starting lineup.

The Argentinian veteran is the only player in the Miami squad to score more than one MLS goal this season, leaving the team lacking attacking threat in his absence.

CF Montreal possible starting lineup:

Pantemis; Bassong, Camacho, Struna; Brault-Guillard, Piette, Wanyama, Kizza; Mihailovic, Hamdi; Johnsen

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

McCarthy; Leerdam, Shawcross, Gonzalez, Makoun; Matuidi, Gregore; Shea, Chapman, Morgan; G. Higuain

We say: CF Montreal 0-1 Inter Miami

Inter Miami are desperate to end their losing run and may fancy their chances against a Montreal side also struggling for form. If Gonzalo Higuain plays from the start, Neville's side might just have enough to take all three points.