CF Montreal vs Chicago Fire Prediction: Both teams are desperate for points

CF Montreal welcomes Chicago Fire to Saputo Stadium on September 22, 2024, for a pivotal Major League Soccer match in the Eastern Conference. CF Montreal and Chicago Fire have had it really tough in the league, with both teams dwelling in the lower parts of the table. For the visit of the Fire, this game could mean quite a deal to the 13th-placed CF Montreal and Chicago Fire, who sit just one place below them in 14th position. Both sides go into the match in similar form, with each having won just once in their last five matches, and will thus be keen to get one over the other in what has been a turbulent season so far.

CF Montreal

CF Montreal have generally heaved and hawed their way through this season, notching just 7 wins against 10 draws and 12 losses. Indeed, their last five matches have produced just 1 win, 1 draw, and 3 defeats, although they did secure a high-scoring 2-2 draw away to New England Revolution last week. Montreal lined up in a 3-4-2-1 in that match-a very compact setup on defense but offering limited offensive output. It was a struggle for Montreal to create clear-cut opportunities with stats such as 44% possession, zero big chances created, and just four shots on target.

There are several ominous trends regarding Montreal: they've conceded in 9 consecutive matches, and over 2.5 goals have been seen in 6 of their last 7 games. They have been pretty porous at the back, conceding first in 4 of their last 5 games while losing the first half in the same number. The team is somewhat decent in discipline, though, as under 4.5 cards were seen in 8 of their last 9 games.

Typically, Montreal sets up in a 3-4-2-1, which allows them to pack numbers into the defense but limits their width in attack. They'll have to lean on their wingbacks to provide width and push forward in support, and their central midfielders-like Saliba-need to control possession much better than they did against New England. Suspect would be one word to use when describing Montreal's defense. They'll need to buckle down-especially on crosses and set pieces-against Chicago's forwards.

Offensively, Montreal will seek to capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities by linking up their two attacking midfielders with the lone striker. Their pressing game also has to be on point to unsettle Chicago's build-up play and find those pockets of space behind their wingbacks.

Chicago Fire

Chicago Fire is in another desperate situation with an even worse record of 7 wins, 8 draws, and 15 losses. They share the same poor form with Montreal at the moment, as in the last 5 matches, they have recorded 1 win and 1 draw, losing 3 games. In the last outing, they lost to Nashville 1-0 away from home, where they lined up in a 3-5-2 formation. Chicago had 61% of the possession, but did very little with that possession, creating no big chances and fashioning only 3 shots on target. At the other end of the pitch, they were rarely troubled, with just 1 goalkeeper save to make.

Trends for Chicago show a defense that consistently leaks goals, with 8 conceded in their last 5. Like Montreal, they've also conceded first in 4 of the last 5, and trailed at halftime in 5 of their last 6. They do keep things relatively calm in terms of discipline, however, with under 4.5 cards in 6 of their last 8.

Chicago Fire: They should keep playing in their 3-5-2 formation as it gives them the much-needed solidity in midfield, with support at the back via their wingbacks. That said, there seems to be a palpable struggle to create chances; they will have to be more direct in the final third if they are to hurt a Montreal defense that is the most vulnerable in the league. Possession hasn't been an issue, but converting that into meaningful attacks has been their downfall.

Chicago needs to pay great attention to their transition games and uses the numerical advantage in midfield to boss the possession. Defensively, they'll need awareness of Montreal's wide players and make sure they won't get caught out on counter-attacks. A very high percentage of long balls, 68%, from their last match against Nashville, showed their intentions to bypass midfield when needed-something they may look to exploit again, especially against Montreal's high defensive line.

Head to Head

Historically, CF Montreal has had the bragging rights in this fixture with 11 wins, coming against 6 for Chicago, and 3 draws. Still, Chicago has not been defeated in the last 3 matches between them and managed to win 4-3 in a thrilling match at home in their latest match in March 2024. Notably, these matches have been pretty action-packed, with 4 of the last 5 meetings having seen over 4.5 cards, while most games had relatively low corners, under 10.5 on 4 out of 5 occasions.

Expert Betting Tips

This tie between CF Montreal and Chicago Fire looks all set to be a mouth-watering encounter between two teams whose need for points has become rather desperate. Both teams have shown their vulnerabilities in defense, and with their recent history of high-scoring games, fans can expect a thrilling, open encounter. The Men in Red may have the edge based on recent head-to-head performances, but the home-field advantage enjoyed by the Impact should not be scoffed at. In any case, goals should flow in, and both teams could find the back of their opponent's net.

Also, Montreal has seen over 2.5 goals in 6 of the last 7 matches played, while for Chicago, 7 of their last 8 matches have ended with over 2.5 goals. With both teams at times this season showing defensive vulnerabilities, this match is likely to see a slew of goals.

Both teams have been guilty of early goals, but Chicago at least has been consistently strong in opening games. In their last 5 meetings with Montreal, Chicago opened the scoring first 3 times, and given Montreal has conceded first in 4 out of their last 5 games, the likelihood is that Chicago will again open the scoring.

• Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.643 Odds
• Away to Score First @ 2.13 Odds
• Correct Score 2-1 @ 9.00 Odds