In the second instalment of the 2024 Canadian Classique, CF Montreal will take on Toronto in MLS action at Saputo Stadium on Saturday.
A come-from-behind 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday lifted Le CFM into the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, even with the Reds on 27 points, with the latter losing 3-1 to Inter Miami.
Match preview
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Laurent Courtois saw a resilient effort from his group in New Jersey earlier this week, ending a two-match losing run away from home in this competition.
This team have managed to fight back and earn at least a point in three of their previous four league contests in which they had conceded the opener,
Montreal had been chipping away at their post-season deficit for weeks and are finally above that line in the Eastern Conference, with points in four of their previous five domestic affairs.
Their home form has played a big part in their resurgence, collecting a point or more in seven consecutive domestic encounters at Saputo Stadium.
That is their longest unbeaten streak at home in this competition since 2021 (seven), while a win or draw this weekend would set a new MLS club record for the longest run without a defeat at home in a single season.
The last five competitive home games for them against the Reds have ended with a victory for Montreal, who have not conceded in three successive matches against them at Saputo Stadium across all competitions.
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Even without Lionel Messi to contend with, TFC were no match for Inter Miami this week, as they suffered an eighth defeat in their last nine games across all competitions.
John Herdman's men are now just a single point above the Eastern Conference playoff line and only ahead of Montreal with two more victories.
With nine matches remaining in the regular season, though, their post-season destiny is no longer in their hands, as Nashville SC and Montreal have a game in hand on them.
Toronto have given up at least one goal in 10 straight competitive games, conceding 12 times in just five encounters this month.
The Reds have lost their last four league contests away from home and are winless in their previous seven MLS road fixtures.
A win on matchday 26 this weekend would give them nine domestically this season, the most for them in this competition since 2022 (nine).
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Team News
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Logan Ketterer sat out of Montreal's midweek match with a sore ankle, and Lassi Lappalainen was sidelined because of a groin injury.
Samuel Piette, Joel Waterman and Mathieu Choiniere were all back in the starting 11 against the Red Bulls after previously missing time while on international duty with Canada at the Copa America.
Josef Martinez replaced Matias Coccaro in the second half on Wednesday and had a massive impact, netting a brace, including the equaliser from the penalty spot, shortly after a Choiniere own-goal had put them behind.
TFC will be without Alonso Coello once again because of a thigh injury, Tyrese Spicer is questionable due to a lower back issue and Brandon Servania is done for the year due to a ruptured ACL.
Captain Jonathan Osorio and Richie Laryea were back in the fold after being on international duty with Canada at the Copa America, while Lorenzo Insigne returned to the starting 11 for the first time since their Canadian Championship defeat versus Forge (2-1).
A 79th-minute strike courtesy of Derrick Etienne was a minor consolation for the Reds against Miami as Sean Johnson conceded three or more goals for a second successive away match in this competition.
CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Sirois; Waterman, Alvarez, Sosa; Ruan, Lassiter, Piette, Choiniere, Saliba; Martinez, Coccaro
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Laryea, Long, Gomis, Petretta; Bernardeschi, Osorio, Longstaff; Etienne, Insigne; Owusu
We say: CF Montreal 1-0 Toronto
Toronto have continually shot themselves in the foot with mental errors, and we expect to see a confident Montreal side eventually capitalise on that this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
