Toronto FC vs Montreal Impact MLS Odds & Preview: September 1
- Toronto FC will take a four-match win streak in league play against Montreal into Tuesday night’s date with the Impact
- The Reds are unbeaten in 18-straight MLS regular season matches, and now sit atop both the Eastern Conference standings and the MLS Cup odds
- We’ve got you covered with all the odds and trends ahead of Tuesday’s clash at BMO Field
Toronto FC will be looking to extend their lead atop the MLS Eastern Conference standings when they play host to the rival Montreal Impact on Tuesday night as heavy -250 favorites in the MLS odds.
Toronto FC vs Montreal Impact Odds
| Team | Moneyline Odds | Total at DraftKings |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto FC | -250 | O 2.5 (-150) |
| Montreal Impact | +650 | U 2.5 (+110) |
| Draw | +375 | n/a |
Odds taken Sept. 1
Reds Rebounding from Early MLS is Back Ouster
The Reds have successfully rebounded from their early exit from the recent MLS is Back tournament, tallying three straight wins since the MLS regular season restarted, to remain the only remaining team to avoid a loss in league play heading into Tuesday night’s matchup at BMO Field.
#MLS STANDINGS pic.twitter.com/s4FRI6qxl9
— Area Sports Network (@AreaSportsNet) August 31, 2020
Toronto is enjoying the benefit of a favorable regional schedule that has them playing six straight league matches against their Canadian rivals in Montreal and Vancouver. The club has taken full advantage of the opportunity, outscoring opponents by a 5-0 total margin over their first three contests, capped by a 1-0 victory over the Impact at Stade Saputo on Friday night.
With that win, TFC are now unbeaten in 18-straight MLS regular season contests, a run that has contributed to their climb to the top of the MLS Cup odds, where they now join Los Angeles FC as +450 co-favorites.
TFC Enjoying Regular Success vs Impact
Friday’s win also marked the Reds’ fourth straight victory against Montreal in league play. However, dates between these archrivals have tended to be closely-fought contests, with each of their past five meetings across all competitions getting settled by a single goal.
And while their meeting during the group stage at the MLS is Back tournament was a wide-open affair, with Toronto taking home a 4-3 victory, low scoring has been otherwise typical when these clubs meet, with the total topping 3.0 just twice in their past 10 overall matchups.
Toronto FC vs Montreal Impact Stats
| 1st in Eastern Conference (18 points) | Standing in MLS | 7th in Eastern Conference (10 points) |
| 1.75 | Goals per game | 1.43 |
| 0.88 | Goals against per game | 1.29 |
| 3-1-1 | W-D-L record in past five MLS matches | 2-0-3 |
Impact Hobbled by Shaky Offense, Dismal Road Play
That could emerge as a problem for the Impact, who have struggled to generate offense since that group stage loss to TFC. Montreal have tallied just three total goals while compiling a middling 2-0-2 win-draw-loss record in their past four outings, a stretch that also includes a 1-0 loss to Orlando City in the Round of 16 at the tournament.
Ayo Akinola, Alejandro Pozuelo turn up the offence as Toronto FC defeats the Montreal Impact 4-3 at #mlsisback Tournament #TFCLive https://t.co/iG5NinOjm7 pic.twitter.com/GVzaOeGAI1
— Neil Davidson (@NeilMDavidson) July 17, 2020
Further complicating matters for the Impact is their recent abysmal record in matches played away from Stade Saputo. With the exception of a 1-0 win over DC United in group stage matchup played in the MLS is Back bubble, Montreal sports a dismal 0-2-7 record in their past seven overall contests on the road, and has been kept off the scoresheet in five of those outings.
That trend worsens further in away matches in league play, with the Impact amassing just four total points over their past 13 matches played away from Stade Saputo.
Off-Pitch Distractions Remain a Concern
The recent protests that led to the postponement of several MLS matches last week has also served as a distraction for Montreal, with several Impact players reportedly not wanting to take the pitch ahead of Friday’s loss to the Reds. Impact coach Thierry Henry has rejected that as the reason for the club’s struggles in Friday’s contest, in which Toronto dominated, with 61% possession and six shots on goal.
Michael Bradley on Montreal Impact players saying they didn't want to play: "It is not worth talking about. There are real things to talk about, important issues at hand. The behind-the-scenes stuff that has gone on in lots of different dressing rooms is not important right now."
— Kristian Jack (@KristianJack) August 29, 2020
With TFC on the verge of tying the MLS record for longest regular season unbeaten streak, the Impact can ill afford to let their focus stray from the action on the pitch if they are to earn their first win in Toronto in league play in three years.
Picks: Toronto FC -1.5 (+117); Toronto FC to win to nil – YES (+138)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
