Sports Mole includes predictions, team news and possible lineups for Tuesday's MLS playoff clash between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.
2024 MLS Cup playoffs begin Tuesday with Eastern Conference Wild Card Round CF Montreal host atlanta united at Sabuto Stadium.
On the final day, a 2-0 win over New York City FC helped Le CFM move three points clear of the Five Stripes, three points ahead of the Five Stripes, who held on to win 2-1 against Orlando City.
Competition Preview
© Imago
Montreal took care of business on the final day of the regular season, clinching a playoff berth for the second time in three seasons.
Laurent Courtois Finally, at the end of the domestic campaign, his team had won four of its last five MLS games.
Le CFM comes into the match at the Sabuto Stadium on a four-game unbeaten streak, outscoring their rivals by a combined margin of 9-1 in that stretch.
The team has won its last seven games in all competitions when scoring the first goal and is unbeaten in 10 games while doing so.
In recent weeks, they have considerably improved their defensive set-up, keeping three clean sheets in their last five games.
Tuesday will be the first playoff game at Chaputo Stadium since 2022, when they were eliminated by New York City FC (3-1) in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
© Imago
Despite the odds stacked against them, Atlanta is in the postseason, winning their last game and getting help from Charlotte FC, who beat DC United 3-0.
By doing so, the Red and Black qualified for the playoffs for the second consecutive time, moving ahead of their postseason goal on goal difference.
Robert Valentino He has seen his team come out strong throughout the season, earning at least one point in five of their last six MLS games of the season.
Atlanta United are unbeaten in their last four league games, but have suffered four consecutive playoff defeats on the road.
The Five Stripes accumulated 13 points and lost first place in the regular season, but lost 13 points by drawing first blood.
They have lost three of their four previous visits to Sabuto Stadium against Le CFM, with the last victory coming in Montreal during the 2023 campaign (1-0).
CF Montreal form (all matches):
Atlanta United Form (All Matches):
Group messages
© Imago
By conquering New York City, Lassie Lappellainen He was on the substitute bench but did not participate due to a lower body injury. Nathan Dylan Saliba Eligible to return from his yellow card suspension.
goals Kaden Clark AND Jose Martinez He helped them win against the Boys in Blue. jonathan sirois Sabuto achieved his third consecutive clean sheet at the stadium.
blows, Edwin Muskera Outside of the previous Atlanta tournament, Sanda Silva He was an unused substitute, recovering from a foot problem and Quentin Westberg He was sidelined due to a head injury.
First time marked Saba Lobzhanidze AND Jamal Diare It was enough to take the streak from five to a second straight 2-1 win on Saturday.
Possible starting lineup for CF Montreal:
syrois; Campbell, Waterman, Alvarez; Marshall-Ruddy, Piet, Saliba, Edwards; duke, secretary; Martinez
Atlanta United probable starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Rod Gregerson, Williams, Lover; Slis, Fortuna; Lobzhanidze, House, Wolff; Ready
We say: CF Montreal 2-0 Atlanta United
Montreal's momentum, along with the form of former Atlanta forward Joseph Martinez, has tipped us toward another home win for Le CFM.
There is no data analysis information.
