Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. CF Montreal - prediction, team news, lineups

An all-Canadian affair takes place on Saturday when Western Conference side Vancouver Whitecaps host Eastern Conference side CF Montreal in Major League Soccer.

The last meeting between the two sides in September ended in a 3-1 victory for the Whitecaps but three days previously Montreal gained the upper hand with a 4-2 win in the MLS.

Match preview

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Vancouver Whitecaps have had a mixed start to their league campaign with one win, draw and loss in their opening three games, which currently places them ninth in the Western Conference.

On Monday, Marc Dos Santos's side allowed Colorado Rapids to pick up their first three points of the season with a 1-0 win against the Whitecaps, who fell to a 26th-minute strike from forward Diego Rubio.

The Whitecaps have not enjoyed much success since being introduced into the MLS in 2011 and last season they finished the overall campaign in 17th, their third-worst finish in the 10 seasons they have been involved.

Saturday's meeting with Montreal is the last fixture the Whitecaps will play at the BC Place Stadium before travelling to the United States for their next four matches after this, and so they will potentially need to capitalise on their last game on home turf for over a month.

Wilfried Nancy's side have made a solid start to their MLS campaign having not tasted defeat in their first three fixtures, playing out two draws after beating Toronto 4-2 on the opening gameweek.

Last time out, 27-year-old goalkeeper Clement Diop registered his first clean sheet of the season after Columbus Crew failed to produce a shot on target in their goalless draw with Montreal.

The hosts in that game dominated the chances in front of goal and they will perhaps feel disappointed that they did not manage to convert one of their 20 shots; had they done so a win would have sent them top of the Eastern MLS.

Montreal were introduced into the MLS a year later than their opponents on Saturday, and likewise they have struggled to achieve any title winnings, with their best overall finish coming in 2015 when they finished seventh.

Nancy's side will be aiming to continue their undefeated start to the MLS season so far and try to open up a gap between themselves and the teams below the promotion qualification places in the league.

Team News

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Vancouver Whitecaps are expected to continue to be without central midfielder Leonard Owusu, who has not featured as of yet this season due to a hamstring injury, however left-sided defender Ali Adnan could return to the side after also missing the opening three fixtures.

Dos Santos's side have been a threat from set pieces this season and left-back Cristian Gutierrez will be aiming to add to his two assists so far.

As for Saturday's visitors, they are expected to be without Mathieu Choiniere and Luis Binks through injury, but Lassi Lappalainen made his return to the side last time out against Columbus Crew.

Striker Mason Toye is the club's early leading goalscorer having found the net twice in the opening two games, although he did miss Montreal's last game on the weekend.

Former Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama has been a key figure in Nancy's starting 11 this season and he is expected to start again on Saturday.

Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:

Crepeau; Gutierrez, Rose, Veselinovic, Nerwinski; Caicedo, Teibert, Bikel, Dajome; Cavallini, Alexandre

CF Montreal possible starting lineup:

Diop; Miller, Camacho, Struna; Kizza, Wanyama, Sejdic, Brault-Guillard; Mihailovic; Hurtado, Quioto

We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 CF Montreal

Montreal will be keen to continue their unbeaten record this season which may see them be less adventurous in this game to ensure they do not lose it.

The hosts will be aiming to put their last result right by not following it up with another loss and therefore the Whitecaps could become defensive in this game also.