Top versus bottom: can CF Montreal trouble Nashville SC?

Nashville SC have a goal difference of +41 this season, while CF Montreal sit at -24. That gulf frames Saturday’s Major League Soccer clash at Saputo Stadium, where the league leaders travel to the team at the bottom of the table.

Top against bottom

Nashville lead the table on 67 points from 30 games. Montreal have 25 and sit 15th of 15, a 42-point gap that makes this the most lopsided pairing of the round on paper. Still, Montreal have home ground and a point to prove, and a visit from a side with Nashville’s record always carries a risk for the favourite.

Montreal’s scoring problem

Montreal have scored just five goals in their last five matches and conceded nine, with a recent run of D-L-L-W-L. Nashville have been far more potent: 14 goals and two conceded in their last five, including four straight wins. Nashville have also been effective on the road this season, winning six of their 15 away games and losing only three.

Nashville’s edge in meetings

Montreal have not beaten Nashville in their last five meetings. Nashville have won three of those, with the other two ending level, 1-1 and 0-0. Nashville have scored nine times to Montreal’s two. The most recent meeting, in July, was a 1-0 Nashville win.

Montreal’s injury problems

Montreal are missing Ceballos (lower-body), Gillier (upper-body) and Hidalgo (groin), and Sealy is a doubt with a lower-body problem. Nashville have a smaller list, with Presthus out through a lower-body injury and Camara doubtful.

Our prediction

PreviaXI’s model also leans towards Nashville, and the numbers match what we see on the pitch. Montreal’s attack has dried up and their injury list thins out an already fragile midfield and attack. Nashville should create the better chances, but Montreal’s home crowd and their recent meetings suggest a tight, hard-fought game.

CF Montreal 0-1 Nashville SC