Saputo Stadium will host the first Canadian Classique of the 2022 Major League Soccer season as CF Montreal battle their arch-rivals Toronto on Saturday.
Both clubs are going through a difficult stretch, as Montreal have been outscored 6-1 in their previous two defeats, while the Reds are winless in their last four games, falling 2-0 to the Chicago Fire in midweek.
Match preview
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That first place feeling in the Eastern Conference did not last long for Wilfried Nancy and his men, who have endured a pair of tough matches, being trounced 4-0 by the Los Angeles Galaxy and then squandering a one-goal lead to Sporting Kansas City, losing 2-1 last week.
Defensively, Nancy was happy with how they fared at home last weekend, although he was frustrated at the same time because KC barely threatened but were gifted a pair of goals due to lapses in concentration from the home side.
While it is far from a disastrous situation in Le Belle Province, as they currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference, this team are missing a consistent difference-maker capable of changing the complexion of a match.
Djordje Mihailovic is still nursing a knee injury, and without the talented American midfielder, this team are lacking that extra quality and someone who has made a massive difference for them when fit.
Montreal have conceded seven goals in their previous four home fixtures and will wrap up the month of July with two of their next three matches taking place at Saputo Stadium.
This weekend, they will have revenge on their minds after the Reds ruined their chances of capturing consecutive Canadian Championships, beating them 4-0 in the semi-finals last month.
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One of the most active teams in the league off the field are still struggling on the field, as Toronto remained the only winless road team in the Eastern Conference this year, losing to the Fire on Wednesday.
The Reds continue to inch their way closer to history, though not the kind you want to be associated with, as they have now conceded at least once in 28 consecutive league games, the fourth-longest run ever in MLS.
There are plenty of quality individuals who will suit up for this team soon, and given their road woes and struggles scoring away from home, those newcomers could be sorely needed, as TFC are without a goal in four of their previous five away fixtures.
Toronto have conceded the opening goal in three straight encounters, and they have not won a match all season when trailing at the half.
Playing in Montreal has proven to be a difficult ordeal for them recently, with TFC losing two of their previous three matches at Saputo Stadium, conceding seven goals combined in both defeats.
Playing a solid 90 minutes has proven to be a big ask from Bob Bradley to this group, who look sharp and dynamic at times in their build-up, yet still, make unforced errors that are usually punished.
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Team News
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Romell Quioto is tied with Mihailovic for goals, picking up his seventh of the campaign for Montreal last Saturday, while Lassi Lappalainen notched his second assist as he sits third in that category.
Zachary Brault-Guillard made his 75th career MLS appearance with the club last Saturday, Kei Kamara leads them in assists this season with five, while goals from Samuel Piette, Joaquin Torres and Quito, helped lead them to a comfortable 3-1 win in their previous home fixture against the Reds last year.
Kamal Miller was the only Montreal player selected to the MLS team for the all-star game versus Liga MX next month, while Tomas Giraldo (hamstring) and Bjorn Johnsen (foot) will likely join Mihailovic on the sidelines in this one because of injuries.
Mark-Anthony Kaye made his debut for Toronto on Wednesday, in his first match since being acquired from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Ralph Priso.
Toronto have terminated the contract of Carlos Salcedo as he is returning to his native Mexico, while Domenico Criscito made his first appearance for his new club as a substitute on Wednesday.
Lorenzo Insigne is at least another week away from being fully fit, while Noble Okello still has a lower-body injury and Jayden Nelson will be suspended for this encounter after being shown another yellow card this week.
Ayo Akinola notched a brace in their triumph over Montreal at the Canadian Championship, with their leading goalscorer Jesus Jimenez and the outgoing Alejandro Pozuelo scoring the other goals, while Quentin Westberg collected a clean sheet.
CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Breza; Johnston, Camacho, Miller; Lappalainen, Kone, Choiniere, Torres; Miljevic, Kamara; Quioto
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Westberg; Petrasso, MacNaughton, Mavinga, Chung; Bradley; Osorio, Kaye; Akinola, Jimenez, Kerr
We say: CF Montreal 2-1 Toronto
Even without Mihailovic, Montreal should not have any problems finding a way through a defence who have conceded the second-most goals in MLS (38) and are not as great in attacking third on the road as they are at home.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
