Major League Soccer returns with a fresh set of fixtures as CF Montreal and FC Cincinnati go head to head at the Saputo Stadium on Wednesday night.
With just six games to the end of the regular season, the Orange and Blue hold an eight-point lead at the top of the MLS table.
Match preview
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CF Montreal were left spitting feathers on Saturday night as they played out a somewhat disappointing goalless draw against Chicago Fire at the Saputo Stadium.
The Impact were guilty of a lack of sting in front of goal as they fluffed a plethora of clear-cut chances as the Men in Red held on for a share of the spoils to snap their six-match losing streak.
Montreal have now collected just one point from a possible nine since picking up consecutive wins over Toronto FC and New England Revolution in their first outing since their Leagues Cup group-stage exit.
With 36 points from 28 MLS matches, Hernan Losada's side are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference standings, just one point above ninth-placed DC United in the final playoff qualification spot.
FC Cincinnati, on the other hand, turned in a fine show of fighting spirit on Sunday when they came from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Philadelphia Union.
In a heated contest at the Subaru Park, first-half goals from Jose Martinez and Daniel Gazdag put Philadelphia in a comfortable lead but Aaron-Salem Boupendza and Brandon Vazquez struck in the second half to restore parity.
Prior to that, Pat Noonan's men wrapped up August with successive wins back-to-back wins over New York City FC and Atlanta United respectively before suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Orlando City at the TQL Stadium on September 4.
With Sunday's results, Cincinnati have now gone unbeaten in four of their last five away matches — picking up two wins and two draws — with a 3-0 loss at Columbus Crew on August 21 being the exception.
The Orange and Blue have picked up 58 points from their 28 league matches so far to sit at the apex of the Eastern Conference table, eight points above second-placed Orlando City, with six games left to play.
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Team News
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Montreal will take to the pitch without the services of 26-year-old defender Aaron Herrera, who has missed the last four matches through an ankle injury.
He is joined on the club's injury table by fellow defender Robert Orri Thorkelsson, who has been sidelined since picking up a groin problem in June's game against Charlotte.
Canadian forward Jules-Anthony Vilsaint is also a doubt for the home side after coming off injured shortly before the hour mark against Chicago Fire at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati will be without Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Yerson Mosquera, who will serve a one-game suspension after picking up a red card against Philadelphia Union on Sunday.
In his absence, 23-year-old full-back Ian Murphy should come into the XI, forming the back three with Nick Hagglund and former Chelsea man Matt Miazga.
On the injury front, teenage midfielder Stiven Jimenez has been sidelined since suffering a leg injury in June's 3-0 victory over Toronto FC and is out of contention for the visitors.
CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Sirois; Campbell, Waterman, Corbo; Brault-Guillard, Saliba, Piette, Choiniere, Lappalainen; Opoku, Offor
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Hagglund, Miazga, Murphy; Arias, Barreal, Nwobodo, Moreno; Kubo, Vazquez, Santos
We say: CF Montreal 2-2 FC Cincinnati
The last five meetings between Cincinnati and Montreal have produced a combined 26 goals and we anticipate another action-packed contest at the Saputo Stadium. Noonan's men have been decent away from home in recent weeks and we predict that they will hold out for another share of the spoils.
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