The first Canadian Classique matchup of the 2025 MLS campaign takes place on Saturday as CF Montreal seek their first victory at Saputo Stadium this year when they host Toronto.
Le CFM managed to claim a point in midweek, drawing 1-1 with the Columbus Crew, putting them three points below the Reds in the Eastern Conference table after the latter suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to FC Cincinnati.
Match preview
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Since the end of April, we have seen a few minor signs of progression in Montreal, with this team suffering just one defeat in their last four competitive fixtures.
Under interim manager Marco Donadel, this group have been much more disciplined at the back, conceding a goal or fewer in five of their last six domestic matches.
They have really struggled at home this year, going winless in their four league fixtures played at Saputo Stadium, equalling their longest MLS run without a victory from last season.
Wednesday was only the second time in MLS this year that they netted the opening goal, with Montreal claiming at least a point in their last 11 domestic affairs when drawing first blood.
While that first home victory has eluded them in 2025, this team have been stronger defensively in Montreal, conceding a goal or fewer in three of their domestic outings played there this year.
Five of their last six home games against Toronto across all competitions have gone Le CFM's way, with the home side posting a clean sheet in three of those previous four outings.
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Throughout the 2025 campaign, the Reds have failed to create many scoring opportunities at home, and that was the case again on Wednesday.
Their defeat to Cincinnati was the fifth time in MLS this year that Robin Fraser's side failed to find the back of the net at BMO Field, keeping them near the bottom of the table, with only Montreal below them in the East.
Toronto have points in back-to-back MLS away games, with the Reds conceding just one goal in those two fixtures combined.
TFC have failed to earn maximum points when netting the opening goal on two occasions this season, accounting for four points dropped in the competition as a result.
This season, they are averaging a mere 0.8 goal per match in MLS per FotMob, the third-lowest rate in the league behind Austin FC (0.7) and Montreal (0.5).
Last year, TFC beat their Canadian rivals in this exact fixture 1-0, ending a five-match losing run for them at Saputo Stadium, and on Saturday, they can win consecutive games against them in Montreal for the first time since 2020.
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Team News
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In their draw with Columbus this week Montreal did not have Hennadiy Synchuk or Bryce Duke at their disposal, both of whom were dealing with lower body injuries.
A groin strain kept Dominik Yankov on the sidelines for that midweek affair, while George Campbell was dealing with a sore thigh.
Luca Petrasso, a former Toronto defender, put his side in front after 29 minutes, but it was not enough to beat their former manager, Wilfried Nancy, as Canadian Jacen Russell-Rowe equalised in the 63rd minute.
Earlier this week, Toronto were without Markus Cimermancic, Henry Wingo, Richie Laryea, Deandre Kerr and Nicksoen Gomis, all of whom were suffering from lower body issues.
Captain Jonathan Osorio missed another encounter on Wednesday, with the Canadian midfielder still recovering from a problem in his upper body.
Federico Bernardeschi has six goals all-time in his career versus Montreal, including a hat trick at home against them last season, while Sean Johnson collected a clean sheet in his previous visit to Saputo Stadium, with Laryea scoring the winner in a 1-0 triumph for the Reds last year.
CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Sirois; Bugaj, Neal, Waterman, Petrasso; Saliba, Piette; Sealy, Clark, Herbers; Owusu
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Thompson, Long, Rosted, Petretta; Coello, Flores; Bernardeschi, Insigne, Corbeanu; Spicer
We say: CF Montreal 1-0 Toronto
Montreal are starting to get most of their regulars back from injury and taking some baby steps forward, and we believe their improved backline and recent positive results will propel them to another narrow victory this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
