CF Montreal host FC Cincinnati at Stade Saputo on Saturday, September 26 (7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT).
CF Montreal have no fresh injury or suspension concerns heading into this one, so Prince Osei Owusu, who leads the squad with 13 goals from 64 shots, should again spearhead the attack, with Matthew Longstaff and Hennadii Synchuk supplying the service from midfield. FC Cincinnati arrive with a clean bill of health too, and Ahoueke Steeve Kévin Denkey — the East’s form finisher with 14 goals — should start alongside Evander, whose 70 chances created top both squads by some distance.
Montreal have lost 5 straight — including a 7-1 humbling away to Inter Miami — and sit 15th in the East on 21 points with the division’s heaviest goal difference at -22. Cincinnati haven’t won in their own last 5 (2 draws sandwiching back-to-back defeats), yet ninth place and 33 points keep them well within the playoff picture. Both defences have been leaking lately — Montreal’s -22 goal difference, and Cincinnati’s high-scoring draws with Charlotte (3-3) and Houston (2-2) — so expect goals at both ends, with Cincinnati’s greater firepower up top the difference in a 1-2 win.
CF Montreal vs FC Cincinnati: Best Bets & Predictions
Cincinnati's playoff push runs into a Montreal side mired in a five-game slide at Saputo Stadium.
Our approach: we blend the underlying stats — shots, chances created, goal difference — with standings context to arrive at the picks below, rather than leaning on reputation or recent scorelines alone.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).
Season Form & Standings
CF Montreal sit 15th in the East on 21 points, well off the playoff picture, while FC Cincinnati are ninth on 33 points, still very much alive in the race.
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC Cincinnati | 9 | 25 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 54 | 61 | -7 | 33 |
| CF Montreal | 15 | 26 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 31 | 53 | -22 | 21 |
CF Montreal vs FC Cincinnati Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
CF Montreal
4-2-3-1FC Cincinnati
3-4-3Potential Match-Winners
- Prince Osei Owusu (CF Montreal): Montreal’s top scorer with 13 goals from 64 shots, 30 of which have been on target — comfortably their main outlet in an otherwise misfiring side.
- Matthew Ben Longstaff (CF Montreal): The defensive midfielder has chipped in with 2 goals — a set-piece threat rather than an out-and-out scorer — but his 24 chances created make him Montreal’s most reliable creator from deep.
- Ahoueke Steeve Kévin Denkey (FC Cincinnati): Cincinnati’s leading scorer with 14 goals from 60 shots and 28 on target, Denkey remains the East’s most direct outlet in behind.
Recent Form
CF Montreal: L L L L L
- 2026-09-20: CF Montreal 0-2 Columbus Crew (L, home)
- 2026-09-13: Colorado Rapids 1-0 CF Montreal (L, away)
- 2026-09-10: CF Montreal 1-2 Charlotte FC (L, home)
- 2026-09-06: Philadelphia Union 2-0 CF Montreal (L, away)
- 2026-08-30: Inter Miami 7-1 CF Montreal (L, away)
5 straight defeats, the last a 0-2 loss at home to Columbus Crew.
FC Cincinnati: D L L D D
- 2026-09-20: Houston Dynamo 2-2 FC Cincinnati (D, away)
- 2026-09-13: FC Cincinnati 3-3 Charlotte FC (D, home)
- 2026-09-10: Philadelphia Union 5-0 FC Cincinnati (L, away)
- 2026-08-30: Nashville SC 4-0 FC Cincinnati (L, away)
- 2026-08-23: FC Cincinnati 1-1 Seattle Sounders (D, home)
2 draws and 2 losses in their last 5, including a 3-3 thriller with Charlotte and a 5-0 defeat away to Philadelphia.
CF Montreal vs FC Cincinnati Prediction
Our model has this finishing 1-2 to FC Cincinnati. Montreal’s 5-game losing run and the East’s worst goal difference at -22 leave them 15th and outside the playoff picture. Cincinnati, ninth on 33 points, have enough going forward through Denkey and Evander to edge a game that should end with goals at both ends.