CF Montreal vs New York City FC: New York City FC Likely to Dominate

• With 65 points, CF Montreal finished second in the league phase, ten points clear of New York City FC in third
• In the previous 16 meetings, The Impact have won just two games against the Cityzens, while the Cityzens have won nine
• New York City FC are undefeated against CF Montreal this season. At home, New York City FC won 4-1 while the game in Montreal ended in a goalless draw

CF Montreal vs New York City FC Prediction

CF Montreal are on an excellent run of form. They have lost just one game out of their previous 16. This includes 12 wins and 3 draws. During this period, they also hosted New York City FC and were held to a goalless draw. Montreal lacked accuracy that night as they attempted a total of 13 shots and only one was on target. They piled the pressure on the Cityzens that night and kept the ball away from them. The NYCFC attack was kept at bay as the Cityzens finished the game with only two shots and both were off-target.

While Montreal have won just two out of the 16 games that they have played against New York City FC, the latter have failed to win in their last two visits to Montreal. Earlier this season, the Cityzens walked away with a draw and in the season before that, they lost 2-1 as Romell Quioto scored the winner in the 73rd minute from a sublime Djordje Mihailovic assist – an in-form duo New York City FC will face in the upcoming match.

New York City FC Look Likely To Dominate

The Cityzens, on the other hand, are threatening and quick in the final third. New York City FC attempted a total of 27 shots at goal against Inter Miami, but only nine were on target. However, that was enough for the Cityzens to nab a 3-0 win with all goals coming after the hour mark. New York City FC have also kept the joint-most number of clean sheets so far this season (15).

Both sides scored after the hour mark in their respective Round of 16 encounters. However, New York City FC looked like a side that seemed more comfortable on the ball.

New York City Capable Of Edging Tight Contest

After winning against Inter Miami, New York City extended their winning streak to four games. The streak may not be as prolific as Montreal’s, but coupled with the fact that the New York City FC attackers are in fine form, it could well be enough to secure a victory for the Cityzens.

A prolific young offense is going to go toe-to-toe with a solid defense in this match. Slim chances of a goal-fest but New York City FC can edge this tie and reserve their place in the semi-finals.

CF Montreal’s Best-Ever Finish in the League

After finishing just two points behind league leaders Philadelphia Union, this has been CF Montreal’s best league season yet. The Impact are one of the few teams whose away form (11-2-4) is marginally better than their home form (9-3-5).

After securing 35 points on the road, their away form is the best in the league while their home form is only the fifth best. Montreal have not relied on set-pieces a lot this season as 48 out of their 65 goals have come from open play. Only eight goals were scored via set-pieces and six were from the spot.

In the MLS Playoff Round of 16, Djordje Mihailovic set-up Ismael Kone in the 68th minute before scoring from the spot himself in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time to give CF Montreal a 2-0 win over Orlando City.

The Quioto-Mihailovic Threat

Attacking duo Romell Quioto and Djordje Mihailovic have been unstoppable for CF Montreal this season. The duo has scored a total of 25 goals and registered 11 assists between them. Quioto has scored 15 goals and provided 5 assists in 30 league games this season while Mihailovic has netted 10 and set up 6 in 28 games so far, including his contributions against Orlando City in the last round.

The pair will be looking forward to making an impact for The Impact to falter New York City FC’s intentions to defend the title.

Most Wins This Season

CF Montreal may have finished the season in second place but they finished it with the most number of wins this season. Montreal won 20 out of their 34 league games, one more than leaders Philadelphia Union and four more than their next opponents New York City FC.

Having won more away games than home games this season, The Impact will be looking for their tenth home victory of the season against NYCFC.

New York City Aim For Two In A Row

If everything goes according to their plan, the defending champions are just three steps away from retaining their crown. The Cityzens have already won their first Campeones Cup in September and will be looking to add more silverware to the cabinet this season.

Like their next opponents, New York City FC have not relied on set-pieces for their goals, scoring 42 out of their total 60 goals from open play during this campaign. Ten goals have come from set-pieces and seven via penalties.

In the Round of 16, New York City FC registered a comfortable 3-0 win over Inter Miami with Gabriel Pereira, Maxi Moralez and Heber on the scoresheet for the Cityzens. Santiago Rodriguez set up the first two goals of the match.

Team Effort

New York City FC have not relied specifically on one main goal scorer or provider this season. The entire frontline and even the midfield has managed to get on the scoresheet on several occasions this season.

The pattern was evident in the last game against Inter Miami as well. Santiago Rodriguez popped up with two assists while Gabriel Pereira, Maxi Moralez and Heber hopped on to the scoresheet to secure a convincing win.

Defense On Top with Maximum Shutouts

New York City FC have kept 15 clean sheets in the season so far. They are level with Philadelphia Union for the most shutouts this season. However, New York City FC have conceded 15 more goals than Philadelphia in the process. However, the Cityzens have conceded 9 fewer than their opponents Montreal.

The last time these two sides met, both of them managed to keep a clean sheet as the game ended in a goalless draw.

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