Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 27/04/2024

Odds via Tonybet

Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal. Shape of the Teams

Columbus Crew, the winner of last year’s MLS playoffs, will host CF Montreal after a tough Champions Cup match.

On Wednesday night, Columbus Crew defeated Mexico’s CF Monterrey 2-1 in the first semifinal of the Champions Cup, showing their formidable attacking capabilities. The trio of Cucho Hernández, Diego Rossi and Jacen Russell-Rowe worked well together in the opponent’s holding area (zone 14), opening up for each other promptly and creating incredible attacking maneuvers.

Russell-Rowe adeptly took on the role of a “false nine,” distracting Monterrey’s central defenders and forcing them to pull out of the defensive line. This opened up space for Cucho and Rossi to exploit with precise movements and shots.

Despite their offensive prowess, Columbus Crew’s defence didn’t perform up to par. The central defenders often misjudged positions and lacked cohesion. These vulnerabilities led to a goal conceded against Monterrey and could have resulted in more. Such defensive lapses have been a recurring issue this season and have repeatedly led to losing points in the current MLS season.

Montreal, on the other hand, played their last MLS match against Orlando City, which revealed much about Laurent Courtois’ tactical approach.

CFM employed a 5-2-3 formation, where the front three were exempt from defensive duties, leaving only seven players to defend. This left the midfield duo Mathieu Choinière and Samuel Piette struggling near their penalty area. 

Additionally, Montreal’s wingbacks frequently failed to retreat in time, contributing to the two goals they conceded against Orlando. 

At the same time, CFM had three forwards in the attack throughout the game, creating significant problems for Orlando in counterattacks. In addition, their 5-2-3 formation can be easily transformed into 3-2-5 during offensive phases. This allowed Montreal to quickly create a 5v4 against their opponents, who defended with a line of four defenders.

Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal Main Match Info

• Date and Kickoff Time: Saturday, 27 April, 7:30 PM EDT
• Stadium: Lower.com
• Location: Columbus, USA
• Last match: Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal, 2-1 (October 22, 2023, MLS)

Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal, Prediction, Odds

• Pick: Columbus Crew or draw
• Odds: -770 (Tonybet)

Columbus Crew may be fatigued after their midweek Champions Cup battle against Monterrey, but Wilfried Nancy’s team has not lost a game on home turf in a long time – their last loss was against Miami on April 30, 2023 (1-2). Despite this, opting for a win for Columbus in this match carries risks, as the Crew have recently been prone to draws in both home and away games. 

Montreal, after an unexpected road win over Inter Miami on March 10, lost three consecutive away games: 3-4 against Chicago Fire, 0-1 against D.C. United, and a 0-5 thrashing against the Seattle Sounders. Considering this pattern, a victory for Montreal at Columbus seems unlikely.

Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal Betting Tip

• Pick: Cucho Hernández to score
• Odds: -124 (Tonybet) 

Cucho Hernández continues to be Columbus’s main offensive star this season. He is relieved of defensive work and enjoys the freedom to roam and focus purely on offensive duties. The Colombian forward is most dangerous when shifting into the opponents’ holding zone (zone 14). Therefore, it is unsurprising that he’s the one creating the most threatening chances while scoring a crucial goal against Monterrey from that area.

Building on an impressive tally of 24 goals last season, Cucho has already scored four in seven games this season – even though he recently missed two games due to a suspension. 

Given Montreal’s enormous problems in the holding zone, Cucho Hernández will have chances to exploit this and will likely find himself on the scoresheet again. 

Disclaimer: Odds are accurate at the time of posting and subject to change. Please verify the latest odds on our platform before betting.