NYCFC vs Montreal Prediction
Montreal will “host” NYCFC in Orlando for an Eastern Conference battle on Wednesday, July 7 at 7:30 pm EST. Montreal are in 8th place in the East and have gone four games without losing—two wins and two draws. They have given up the third-fewest goals in the East as well, but their inability to find the back of the net leaves them with only a +2 goal differential. Let’s talk about NYCFC vs Montreal prediction!
NYCFC have similar stat lines, winning three out of their four previous games. They have only given up one more goal than Montreal has, but they have scored plenty more, which is why they boast a +7 goal differential and the fifth-place spot in the Eastern Conference.
NYCFC’s Ways to Win
NYCFC will be missing starting goalkeeper Sean Johnson and center-back James Sands as well as Alex Callens due to international duties. Three valuable losses will leave the NYCFC defense with definite holes. Ronny Deila will have to establish a new game plan and find some ways around a weak center.
This weaker center could be key for Montreal, and so it becomes ever more important that NYCFC maintain a strong presence through the middle. Sebastien Ibeagha should replace Sands without much of a drop, although Luis Bazarra in goal will be a heavy drop. NYCFC needs to avoid giving easy shots. Deila should be suggesting a conservative style of defense that lets Montreal lose the ball on their own while avoiding diving in and risky challenges.
NYCFC’s attack is nothing to worry about. They are without Medina, but Castellanos can lead the charge just fine. Get Castellanos on the ball and let him work individually. He has had success with pockets of room just outside the eighteen, so look for NYCFC to give Castellanos the green light to threaten this at all times.
Montreal’s Ways to Win
Moving on with our NYCFC vs Montreal prediction, let’s talk about Montreal’s chances! Montreal needs to take advantage of the weaker NYCFC defense. Barraza is not strong in net and does not have much MLS experience at that. If Montreal press NYCFC high and hunt down the ball, they will make this NYCFC defense make mistakes. It is a group inexperienced together, which means positioning and communication will be lacking. Press high and take shots often.
On defense, NYCFC has both the pace and the vision to create plenty of chances, but they really aren’t the best at capitalizing on them. Keep them away from the center and never more than an arm’s length away, and Montreal should help out their backup James Pantemis greatly.
NYCFC vs Montreal Prediction
These two teams have faced twelve times in their short histories with Montreal pulling out three points only once before. NYCFC are the favored team historically and they are the favored team coming into this matchup.
Both teams will have difficulty finding other options for their international call-ups, and although NYCFC will have more trouble with it, their offense is deadly and whole and Montreal will have too much trouble dealing with it. It’s definitely going to be high-scoring while both teams are technically on the road, but NYCFC end Montreal’s unbeaten streak in an exciting one.
Prediction: NYCFC 3 Montreal 2
