Austin FC vs CF Montreal Prediction & Betting Tips - Major League Soccer

Prediction published on 02/03/2023, 20:38  by Sridhar | Modified on 03/03/2023 at 07:07 in Major League Soccer Predictions

After starting their respective MLS campaigns with a loss, Austin FC and Montréal will hope for better performances when they meet in the second round action at the Q2 Stadium on Sunday, in a cross-conference fixture. Both the teams are looking to do better than last season when they finished second in their respective conferences. Austin went on to make it to the Western Conference Final last year, in their second season in the competition. Josh Wolff’s side couldn’t start this campaign on a high, losing 3-2 to Saint Louis City in an entertaining match last weekend. They went behind to an early goal within the first half-hour, but goals from Sebastian Driussi and Jon Gallagher looked to have put them on track for a win. Yet, two goals in the 78th and 86th minute meant they had to suffer a shock loss. That result wasn’t a surprise if their pre-season form is taken into consideration as Austin lost one and drew two of their friendlies.

Montréal had no such problems in warming up for the season but they also endured a losing start to the season. Goals in either half saw them lose 2-0 to Inter Miami away from home to start their season. That was not the ideal start for new manager Hernán Losada who has big shoes to fill, as last season’s successful coach Wilfred Nancy left for Columbus Crew. Losada will look back at his side and want them to continue the same way they impressed on the road last season when Montréal won 11 of their 17 away games, while scoring 33 goals. The only time these two clubs faced each other, it was Austin who ran out a 1-0 winner via a Maxi Urruti second-half goal in Montréal.