- Odds: Columbus Crew are the favourite at 2.48 for Saturday's MLS 2026 matchup against CF Montreal.
- Home form: CF Montreal have won 3, drawn 5 and lost 4 of their home MLS 2026 matches.
- Away form: Columbus Crew have won 1, drawn 3 and lost 8 of their away MLS 2026 matches.
A tight matchup
L'Impact, CF Montreal to those who know them better, entertain Columbus Crew, the Black & Gold, at Saputo Stadium in a game that is likely to be tight and nervy, despite the slight favouritism that the visitors carry into it. The odds have Laurent Courtois' men as 2.48 favourites in this contest against a CF Montreal side that currently has 21 points after 25 games in MLS 2026, however, it's easy to make a case for each side here.
CF Montreal have momentum but Columbus know how to make them uncomfortable
In fact, with just 21 points from 25 games and 23 from 25, CF Montreal are 29th and Columbus Crew 27th in MLS 2026, so this is a scrap at the bottom. The head-to-head, which is perfectly level after 3 matches in MLS 2026 (W1, D1, L1), is also not a good guide for this contest, but CF Montreal will be the happier of the two sides after edging to a 2-1 win as underdogs in the reverse fixture 3 weeks ago.
CF Montreal have won none, drawn one and lost four of their last 5 matches, which is 3 consecutive defeats, while Columbus Crew have won one and lost 4 of their last 5, which is 2 straight losses, so neither side are in the most convincing of form and both will be desperate to get back on track. L'Impact lost away to Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union, then lost at home to Western Conference lowly Charlotte, before losing away to fellow strugglers Colorado Rapids in their most recent game. So confidence won't be soaring in the home dressing room ahead of this match.
Phillipe Eullaffroy’s 4-3-3 is bolder, but still compact
Tactical shift
Black & Gold beat Colorado Rapids 3-0 at home 3 weeks ago, but have followed that up with an away defeat to Eastern Conference battlers DC United and a home defeat. It's been a mixed bag for the club since Courtois took the reins, but they've definitely played with more purpose and intent, with their direct style and pressing game offering a few more goals.
Key threat
Courtois has implemented a more possession-based structure to the team, but he still wants width and overloads when necessary. However, Montreal are a compact 4-3-3 who like to transition quickly and they have the firepower in Prince Osei Owusu to hurt the Black & Gold with one accurate attack. With 13 goals in 23 MLS 2026 appearances, Owusu is the man to stop for Columbus if they can.
Black & Gold have enough of a game to win
The two markets to back for this match are Over 2.5 goals at 1.57 and Both Teams to Score – Yes at 1.48, which means the market thinks both teams will get some chances and that the game should be fairly open, which we agree with.
However, the odds for Columbus Crew look much better than Montreal's and the hosts are in the middle of a rotten run of results, so the edge has to be with the away team here.
- CF Montreal score an average of 1.33 goals per match in their home MLS 2026 games, with 16 goals scored in total, and they will need to get there this weekend to take the game.
- Columbus have scored 18 goals on their travels, an average of 1.50 per match, which is enough to suggest they can nick a result here.
- Diego Rossi leads the way for Columbus with 6 MLS 2026 goals in 15 appearances, and he has the mobility to help the club get some joy in behind L'Impact's defense, where they will surely park the bus.
