New York City FC vs CF Montreal Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds
Get the New York City FC vs CF Montreal prediction, probable lineups, standout odds and Same Game Parlay picks for Saturday's MLS game at Citi Field.
Cody Moore - October 31, 2026, 10:09 AM EDT
7 minutesNew York City FC vs CF Montreal Game Preview
Competition | Major League Soccer (MLS) |
|---|---|
Game Date | Saturday, October 31, 2026 |
Game Time | 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT |
Venue (City, Stadium) | New York, Citi Field |
New York City FC host CF Montreal at Citi Field with very uneven stakes. One side is fighting for its playoff life, and the other is playing out the string.
New York City FC need a win to keep their postseason hopes alive, and the betting market backs them heavily to get it done in front of the home crowd.
CF Montreal are already out of playoff contention, and interim boss Philippe Eullaffroy has been handing minutes to young prospects, including 17-year-old goalkeeper Samsy Keita.
Here's the catch: Montreal have won their last 4 games against New York City FC in all competitions, so the visitors bring real bite into this matchup despite the standings.
New York City FC vs CF Montreal Recent Results
New York City FC needed a stoppage-time winner from Benie Traore to edge Atlanta United 2-1 last time out, and that result keeps them in the playoff hunt. Leagues Cup play was patchier, with a win over Santos Laguna followed by 2-1 losses to Cruz Azul and Club Necaxa. Nicolás Fernández Mercau is still the creative engine.
CF Montreal are deep in a slump, with just one point from their last five MLS games after a 4-0 thumping at Charlotte FC on Thursday. The Canadian Championship brought no relief either, as Forge FC beat them on penalties after a tie. Alexis Sánchez returns to lead the line for an attack that has struggled to finish.
New York City FC vs CF Montreal Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
New York City FC: Maxi Morález (Injured/out), Kai Trewin (Injured/out), Alonso Martínez (Injured/out), Drew Baiera (Injured/out), Arnau Farnós (Injured/out)
CF Montreal: Thomas Gillier (Injured/out), Brayan Ceballos (Injured/out), Prince Owusu (Injured/out), Bode Hidalgo (Injured/out), Jalen Neal (Injured/out)
New York City FC
Alonso Martínez misses out after picking up an injury against Atlanta United last time out, so expect Talles Magno to step into the starting XI. Benie Traore will likely have to settle for a spot on the bench despite his late heroics. The hosts' probable lineup points to their usual 4-2-3-1, built around Nicolás Fernández Mercau in the No. 10 role.
CF Montreal
Alexis Sánchez should lead the line after being benched in midweek, and Philippe Eullaffroy could also recall Dante Sealy and Fabian Herbers for the trip to New York. Prince Owusu is among the injured absentees, which takes a real shooting threat out of an attack that is already short on firepower.
New York City FC vs CF Montreal Predicted Lineup
New York City FC
Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Matt Freese; Tayvon Gray, James Sands, Thiago Martins, Kevin O'Toole; Aiden O'Neill, Andrés Perea; Agustín Ojeda, Nicolás Fernández Mercau, Hannes Wolf; Talles Magno (probable XI)
CF Montreal
Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Samsy Keita; Dawid Bugaj, Brayan Vera, Efraín Morales, Luca Petrasso; Matty Longstaff, Wiki Carmona; Hennadii Synchuk, Fabian Herbers, Dante Sealy; Alexis Sánchez (probable XI)
New York City FC vs CF Montreal Key Stats & Game Facts
- New York City FC have received 2+ cards in 4 of their last 4 games vs CF Montreal (Major League Soccer).
- Nicolás Fernández Mercau has won 3+ fouls in 8 of his last 10 appearances (Major League Soccer).
- CF Montreal have had 5+ shots on target in 3 out of 3 games vs New York City FC (Major League Soccer).
- Daniel Ríos has scored in 2 of his last 3 appearances vs New York City FC (Major League Soccer).
New York City FC vs CF Montreal Prediction & Best Picks
Our Prediction
Our New York City FC vs CF Montreal prediction is a New York City FC win in an open game where both teams find the net. The hosts are -200 (Polymarket) on the moneyline, and with Fernández Mercau pulling the strings they have the possession and creativity to break down a Montreal side with nothing left to play for. This won't be a clean sheet stroll, though. The projected total sits at 3.3 goals, and Montreal's direct, wide approach gives them enough to grab one back.
Best Picks
Both Teams To Score: Yes. Both sides are expected to find the net in this MLS fixture. The first of our best picks for this matchup sits in the Both Teams To Score market. Montreal take long shots, cross often and get Alexis Sánchez back up top, while NYCFC have had trouble defending attacks down the wings, so a visiting goal is very much on the table even if the hosts take the points.
Total Goals Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals. The projected total points to a high-scoring game. This one comes from the Total Goals Over/Under market. The over carries a 64.11% projected probability, comfortably above the implied probability of the best price, and the totals line has climbed from 2.7 to 3 since opening, so the market is leaning toward goals as well.
New York City FC vs CF Montreal Same Game Parlay
Our Same Game Parlay picks for this one pair two player props with the home moneyline and both teams scoring.
Nicolás Fernández Mercau Over 1.5 Player Shots: he has attempted 2+ shots in 9 of his last 10 MLS appearances, and as the hub of this attack he keeps finding shooting spots.
Hennadii Synchuk Over 0.5 Player Shots On Target: he has put 1+ shot on target in 4 of his last 4 MLS appearances, and Montreal's appetite for long shots keeps him involved.
New York City FC on the Moneyline: Montreal have lost 9 of their last 11 games in Major League Soccer, and the hosts have their playoff hopes riding on this one.
Both Teams To Score: Yes: both teams have scored in 5 of New York City FC's last 6 games, and Montreal's crossing game gives them a route to goal.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Same Game Parlay with Oddschecker's Exclusive Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.
Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.
New York City FC vs CF Montreal Talking Points
The big question is whether New York City FC can finally solve Montreal. The visitors lead the head-to-head by four wins to two, with no ties, but this time they arrive with their season effectively over. Pascal Jansen's possession-minded side like to attack down the left and play through balls, and set pieces could decide it. NYCFC are dangerous from direct free kicks, while Montreal struggle to defend set plays and to avoid individual errors. The flip side is out wide, where NYCFC can be exposed and Montreal love to play with width. The home moneyline has shortened since opening, which tells you where the market sees this one going.
New York City FC vs CF Montreal Predictions FAQs
What time is the New York City FC vs CF Montreal game?
The game kicks off at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Where is New York City FC vs CF Montreal being played?
The game is being played at Citi Field in New York.
Which team is favored in the New York City FC vs CF Montreal game?
New York City FC is listed as the favorite, with a 63.4% projected probability of a home win and a 19.4% projected probability of a tie.
Which New York City FC players are injured for the game?
Maxi Morález, Kai Trewin, Alonso Martínez, Drew Baiera and Arnau Farnós are all listed as injured for New York City FC.
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