
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 7:30 PM ET
Location: Stade Saputo — Montréal, Quebec, Canada TV/Streaming: Apple TV Betting Line: FC Cincinnati +140 | CF Montréal +159 | Draw +280 Over/Under: 3.5 Goals
FC Cincinnati travels north of the border Saturday night for an important Eastern Conference matchup against CF Montréal at Stade Saputo.
The Orange and Blue enter the weekend 8-8-9 with 33 points, while Montréal is 5-15-6 with 21 points and sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Cincinnati enters after consecutive dramatic draws, tying Charlotte FC 3-3 before rallying from two goals down to earn a 2-2 result at Houston Dynamo FC.
Montréal enters in much worse MLS form. The club has lost five consecutive league matches and has not won an MLS match at Stade Saputo since May.
The biggest storyline may be international duty. Cincinnati will be without several key players, including Kévin Denkey, Pavel Bucha and Miles Robinson, while Montréal is dealing with even greater roster depletion, with 10 players away.
That creates an unusual matchup in which depth could become just as important as star power.
Denkey’s absence is significant.
The striker has scored 14 MLS goals and has become Cincinnati’s primary finishing threat. Bucha also provides important production from midfield, while Robinson is one of the leaders of the back line.
Those absences put even more responsibility on Evander.
The Brazilian enters with 13 goals and remains Cincinnati’s most important playmaker. Without Denkey and Bucha, the attack should run even more heavily through Evander’s creativity, long-range shooting and set-piece ability.
Gerardo Valenzuela, Bryan Ramirez, Ender Echenique and Kenji Mboma Dem could all receive larger roles.
Ramirez enters with confidence after scoring during Cincinnati’s comeback at Houston, while Echenique has the speed to create problems for Montréal from wide positions.
Cincinnati’s recent attacking performances remain encouraging. The Orange and Blue scored three times against Charlotte and twice against Houston, demonstrating that they can continue creating chances even when trailing.
The larger concern remains defense.
Cincinnati has allowed five goals over its last two matches and will now play without Robinson against Montréal’s most dangerous attacker.
CF Montréal has struggled throughout the MLS season, scoring only 31 goals while allowing 53.
The club has lost five consecutive league matches, including defeats against Inter Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Colorado and Columbus.
Despite those problems, Cincinnati cannot overlook Prince Owusu.
Owusu has produced 13 goals and five assists and has been directly involved in a large percentage of Montréal’s offense.
He also knows how to hurt Cincinnati.
Owusu scored twice when the teams met at TQL Stadium earlier this season, a wild match Cincinnati eventually won 4-3.
Montréal also has veteran star Alexis Sánchez, whose technical ability and experience make him capable of changing a match with one moment of quality.
However, Montréal’s extensive international absences could create major problems, particularly in midfield and defensively.
Cincinnati has won four consecutive meetings against Montréal and has outscored the club 14-5 during that stretch.
Montréal has lost five straight MLS matches and has not won a league game at Stade Saputo since May.
Cincinnati will miss several important players, but Montréal’s even larger list of international absences makes the Orange and Blue attractive around +140.
Denkey’s absence should increase Evander’s scoring responsibility.
Evander enters with 13 goals and should receive additional opportunities around the penalty area. He also remains Cincinnati’s primary threat from penalties and set pieces.
Against a Montréal defense that has conceded 53 goals, Evander should have chances to score.
This matchup has consistently produced goals.
The first meeting this season ended 4-3, with Owusu scoring twice for Montréal.
Cincinnati will be without Robinson defensively, while Montréal has struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard.
Both teams finding the net is a strong possibility.
Cincinnati’s last two matches finished 3-3 and 2-2.
The Orange and Blue continue scoring regularly but have also struggled defensively.
With Montréal vulnerable at the back and Owusu capable of challenging Cincinnati’s reshuffled defense, another match with at least three goals is realistic.
Evander, FC Cincinnati: Cincinnati’s primary creator and scorer becomes even more important with Denkey and Bucha unavailable.
Bryan Ramirez, FC Cincinnati: Ramirez scored against Houston and could play a larger attacking role.
Ender Echenique, FC Cincinnati: His speed and ability to attack from wide positions could challenge Montréal’s depleted defense.
Prince Owusu, CF Montréal: Montréal’s top attacking threat has 13 goals and five assists and scored twice against Cincinnati earlier this season.
Alexis Sánchez, CF Montréal: The veteran attacker still possesses the creativity and experience to influence the match.
FC Cincinnati has dominated the series recently, winning four consecutive meetings and outscoring Montréal 14-5.
Their first matchup this season was one of Cincinnati’s most dramatic games.
Montréal led three different times, and Cincinnati was reduced to 10 men before rallying late. Tom Barlow equalized in the 80th minute before Denkey scored in stoppage time to secure a 4-3 Cincinnati victory.
That history suggests another competitive and entertaining matchup.
Prediction: FC Cincinnati 2, CF Montréal 1
Best Bet: FC Cincinnati Moneyline (+140)
Both teams enter Saturday missing important players, but Montréal’s roster has been hit harder by international duty.
Cincinnati will miss Denkey, Bucha and Robinson, but the Orange and Blue still have Evander available to control the attack.
Montréal’s biggest threat will be Owusu, particularly against a Cincinnati defense missing Robinson. However, Montréal’s five-game MLS losing streak and defensive struggles remain difficult to ignore.
Cincinnati has also controlled the recent series, winning four straight meetings.
Expect Montréal to make the match competitive, but Cincinnati should create enough opportunities through Evander and its remaining attacking depth to earn three points.
Final Score Prediction: FC Cincinnati 2, CF Montréal 1 Best Bet: FC Cincinnati Moneyline (+140) Secondary Pick: Both Teams to Score — Yes Total Goals Pick: Over 2.5 Goals Anytime Goal scorer: Evander
Odds are subject to change. Please wager responsibly.
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