Seeking to bounce back from defeat last time out, CF Montreal welcome Atlanta United to Saputo Stadium for an MLS clash in the Eastern Conference on Sunday.
The visitors, meanwhile, are looking to claim all three points away from home for the first time since the middle of March.
Match preview
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Montreal's six-game winning streak on home soil without conceding a goal came to an end when they lost 1-0 against New York City FC last Sunday.
A first-half strike from Matias Pellegrini was enough to separate the two teams and condemn Hernan Losada's side to their 10th MLS defeat of the season – only basement club Inter Miami (13) have lost more in the Eastern Conference thus far.
After finishing second in the Eastern Conference last year, Le CFM find themselves down in ninth place in the current standings after 20 matches, six points behind Sunday's opponents Atlanta in seventh who have played a game more.
Aside from last weekend's defeat, Montreal have fared much better on home soil so far this season, accumulating 21 of their 26 MLS points at Saputo Stadium. They have also conceded the fewest home goals (four) of any team across either Conference division so far this season.
Montreal are unbeaten in their last four home meetings with Atlanta and have won their last two by a 2-1 scoreline, with a late strike from Joaquin Torres securing maximum points in their most recent encounter in April last year.
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After suffering a heavy 4-0 loss away against New York Red Bulls at the end of June, Atlanta bounced back in their first game of July with a 2-0 home victory against Philadelphia Union last Sunday.
In-demand attacker Thiago Almada – who is allegedly attracting interest from Manchester City and Manchester United – starred for the hosts as he scored his eighth goal of the season with a stunning volley in the seventh minute, before providing an MLS-high 10th assist of the campaign for Brooks Lennon to put the game to bed on the 79-minute mark.
Sitting in seventh place with 32 points from 21 matches, Gonzalo Pineda's men are only eight points behind last season's total of 40 points with 14 games still to play, and victory on Sunday could see them climb to as high as fourth spot in the Eastern Conference if other results go their way.
The Five Stripes head to Quebec having lost just one of their last nine MLS matches, but they have failed to win any of their last nine games away from home, losing four and drawing five.
Atlanta will be seeking to end a four-game winless run against Montreal on Sunday, while their last win at Saputo Stadium took place six years ago when they secured a 2-1 victory courtesy of two goals from former striker Josef Martinez.
Team News
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Montreal are still without Samuel Piette (groin) and Romell Quioto (hamstring) due to injury, while Zachary Brault-Guillard and Aaron Herrera are still away on international duty with Canada and Guatemala respectively at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Mathieu Choiniere is doubtful after missing the last match with an ankle issue and Lassi Lappalainen will also need assessing ahead of kickoff after sitting out of the last three games with an abdominal problem.
The potential absence of Choiniere could see former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama continue in the middle of the pitch alongside Nathan Saliba, while Ariel Lassiter is expected to start at left wing-back should Lappalainen miss out once again.
As for Atlanta, Franco Ibarra is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards, so Matheus Rossetto is the most likely candidate to deputise in midfield next to either Amar Sejdic or Santiago Sosa.
Giorgos Giakoumakis was forced off after half-an-hour in the win over Philadelphia with a hamstring injury and the Greek striker is unlikely to be involved on Sunday, so Miguel Berry could return to the first XI and lead the line.
Atlanta will also have to cope without USA defender Miles Robinson as he still away on international duty at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, while Trinidad & Tobago's Ajani Fortune and Haiti's Derrick Etienne have been eliminated from the competition, but the duo are not expected to be involved in Pineda's squad this weekend.
CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Sirois; Waterman, Camacho, Corbo; Rea, Wanyama, Saliba, Lassiter; Duke; Ibrahim, Offor
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Abram, Purata, Gutman; Rossetto, Sejdic; Wolff, Almada, Wiley; Berry
We say: CF Montreal 2-1 Atlanta United
Atlanta will be in buoyant mood following last weekend's win and they have made themselves difficult to beat in recent months, but they have largely struggled to come out on top when facing Montreal and we believe that the hosts will edge Sunday's contest to close in on the top seven.
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Top tip
Oliver Thomas
