Montr Impact VS Columbus Crew Prediction & Betting Tips - AI Analysis & Odds (Sep 19, 2026)

Montreal Impact FCMontr Impact

0 - 2

HT: 0-0

Columbus Crew SCColumbus Crew

MLS·Saputo Stadium

Comparison of analyst and AI predictions

Predicto AI

Incorrect

Both Teams to Score

@1.50

View Reasoning

Both teams have a high percentage of matches where both teams score, with Columbus Crew SC at 70% and Montreal Impact FC at 60%. The head-to-head record also supports this, as their last 10 matchups have seen both teams finding the net frequently. Therefore, betting on Both Teams to Score is a logical choice.

Human Analyst

Incorrect

Over 2.5 goals

@1.61

View Reasoning

Both teams have shown a tendency to engage in high-scoring matches, with Columbus Crew SC having a 65% rate for Over 2.5 goals in their games. Additionally, in their last 10 encounters, a total of 31 goals were scored, indicating an average of over 3 goals per match. Given these statistics, betting on Over 2.5 goals seems like a strong option.

Split call — see both takes above

Key Stats

CF Montrealper gameColumbus Crew

1.4

xG for

1.2

1.6

xG against

1.2

48.3

Possession %

Shots

11.5

CF Montreal — last 5

LLDWD

Columbus Crew — last 5

WLLLL

Team Stats

CF Montrealper gameColumbus Crew

1.4

xG for

1.2

1.6

xG against

1.2

48.3

Possession %

Shots

11.5

4.8

Shots on tgt

3.9

Corners

5.1

BTTS %

Over 2.5 %

Clean sheet %

CF Montreal — last 5

LLDWD

Columbus Crew — last 5

WLLLL

Last season

Team	W-D-L	GF/g	GA/g	CS
CF Montreal	--	–	–
Columbus Crew	--	–	–

Montr Impact performance

Total Matches

Form

6W7D7L

Avg Scored

1.45

per match

Avg Conceded

1.60

per match

Goals Scored29

Goals Conceded32

Clean Sheets3 (15%)

BTTS60%

Over 2.555%

Over 3.530%

Columbus Crew performance

Total Matches

Form

7W4D9L

Avg Scored

1.45

per match

Avg Conceded

1.50

per match

Goals Scored29

Goals Conceded30

Clean Sheets3 (15%)

BTTS75%

Over 2.565%

Over 3.530%

Expected Match Outcome

Montr Impact

1-2

(1.5 - 1.5 xG)

Columbus Crew

Montr Impact

Scores1.45/g

Concedes1.60/g

Columbus Crew

Scores1.45/g

Concedes1.50/g

Market Predictions

BTTS

68%

Over 2.5

60%

Over 3.5

30%

Under 2.5

40%

Head-to-Head & Form

Standings

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Nashville SC	30	20	7	3	+41	67
1	Vancouver Whitecaps	30	16	7	7	+32	55
2	Inter Miami	30	15	10	5	+22	55
2	St. Louis City	30	14	9	7	+15	51
3	FC Dallas	30	14	9	7	+8	51
3	New England Revolution	30	16	4	10	+8	52
4	San Jose Earthquakes	30	13	9	8	+10	48
4	Chicago Fire	30	14	6	10	+8	48
5	Charlotte	30	13	8	9	+8	47
5	Houston Dynamo	30	13	8	9	+2	47
6	Los Angeles FC	31	12	10	9	+15	46
6	Philadelphia Union	30	13	7	10	+13	46
7	Orlando City SC	30	12	5	13	-12	41
7	Seattle Sounders	30	11	9	10	+2	42
8	Los Angeles Galaxy	31	10	10	11	-9	40
8	New York Red Bulls	30	10	6	14	-17	36
9	Colorado Rapids	30	11	6	13	0	39
9	FC Cincinnati	29	9	9	11	-10	36
10	Real Salt Lake	30	10	6	14	-3	36
10	Toronto FC	30	8	12	10	-9	36
11	Columbus Crew	30	10	5	15	-1	35
11	Portland Timbers	30	9	7	14	-5	34
12	New York City FC	30	8	10	12	+2	34
12	San Diego	30	8	10	12	-3	34
13	Minnesota United FC	30	8	10	12	-8	34
13	DC United	29	7	12	10	-14	33
14	Austin	30	7	10	13	-18	31
14	Atlanta United FC	30	8	6	16	-14	30
15	Sporting Kansas City	30	6	4	20	-39	22
15	CF Montreal	30	6	7	17	-24	25

Overview

CF Montreal (#15 with 21 points) faces Columbus Crew (#13 with 23 points) in a tight MLS clash. Both teams sit near the bottom of the table, separated by just two points, indicating a contest between struggling sides. Montreal averages 1.3 goals per game but concedes 2.09, while Columbus scores slightly more at 1.45 but also concedes 1.68. The match promises a competitive battle for points, with both sides needing a boost to climb the standings.

Form & xG

Montreal's recent form is LLDWD, showing inconsistency, while Columbus is on a downward trend with WLLLL. Montreal’s xG is 1.44 for and 1.57 against per game, suggesting defensive vulnerabilities. Columbus’s xG is lower offensively at 1.16 but concedes 1.18, indicating a tighter defense. Montreal’s possession is 48.3%, Columbus controls 57%, but Montreal creates more shots (13 vs 11.5), highlighting different attacking approaches.

Team News & Key Players

Montreal’s main threat is Prince Owusu with 13 goals and 6 assists, shooting 2.42 times per 90 with 1.33 on target, making him crucial. Longstaff and Vera provide additional support but with fewer shots. Columbus relies on Maximilian Arfsten (4G, 4A) and Taha Habroune, who averages 1.95 key passes and 2.93 tackles per 90. Defensively, Montreal concedes more, and Columbus’s goalkeeper Schulte has 18% clean sheets this season.

Stats & Betting Angles

Both teams concede over 1.5 goals per game, increasing BTTS likelihood: Montreal’s BTTS rate is 52%, Columbus’s is 73%. Over 2.5 goals occur in 65% of Montreal’s matches and 73% for Columbus, supporting an attacking game. Montreal averages 5 corners per game, Columbus 5.1; fouls and yellow cards are higher for Montreal (2.22 yellows per game) than Columbus (1.59), indicating possible set-piece opportunities and a physical encounter.

Verdict

Expect an open, attacking game with both sides likely to score, given Montreal’s 2.09 goals conceded and Columbus’s high BTTS rate. Columbus’s possession advantage may grant them control, but Montreal’s sharper shooting and Owusu’s threat could tilt the balance. The predicted scoreline is 2-1 in favor of Montreal, reflecting slightly better finishing efficiency and home advantage. Over 2.5 goals and BTTS Yes are strong betting considerations.

Martin Anderson

Human analyst

Professional betting analyst with 10+ years of experience in sports data analytics and statistics. Featured on The Athletic, 433, and ESPN. Currently maintaining a 70% win rate this season across European football markets. See the public track record.

Frequently Asked Questions

How has recent form impacted both teams' chances?

Montreal's recent form (LLDWD) shows inconsistency with only one win in their last five games, while Columbus has struggled more recently with a WLLLL sequence. Despite Columbus's poor form, their BTTS rate is high at 73%, indicating they still score and concede regularly. Montreal’s 1.3 goals scored vs. 2.09 conceded per game further reflect defensive issues, suggesting both teams are vulnerable but can find the net.

What do the xG numbers reveal about the teams' attacking and defensive quality?

Montreal’s xG of 1.44 per game slightly exceeds their 1.3 goals scored, showing some inefficiency upfront, while conceding an xG of 1.57 against matches their 2.09 goals conceded, highlighting defensive frailty. Columbus’s xG for is lower at 1.16 but more in line with their 1.45 goals scored, and their xG against is 1.18, better than Montreal defensively. This suggests Columbus has a more balanced defensive profile despite their poor recent form.

Which key attackers are likely to influence the match?

Prince Owusu stands out for Montreal with 13 goals and 6 assists, averaging 2.42 shots and 1.33 on target per 90 minutes, making him the primary goal threat. For Columbus, Maximilian Arfsten (4G, 4A) and Taha Habroune, who delivers 1.95 key passes and 0.43 shots on target per 90, are important creative forces. Their contributions will be pivotal in breaking down defenses.

How do defensive frailties affect the expected outcome?

Montreal concedes 2.09 goals per game with an xG against of 1.57, indicating defensive weaknesses that Columbus could exploit. Columbus concedes fewer goals (1.68) and has a better xG against (1.18), but their recent poor form suggests possible lapses. These frailties increase the likelihood of goals for both sides, supporting a BTTS outcome and an over 2.5 goals scenario.

Why is BTTS likely in this fixture?

Montreal’s BTTS rate is 52%, while Columbus’s is 73%, reflecting their tendency to both score and concede regularly. Montreal concedes over 2 goals per game, and Columbus scores 1.45 per game, so both teams have the offensive capability and defensive vulnerability to see goals at both ends. This statistical trend strongly supports a 'Both Teams To Score: Yes' outcome.

What supports the expectation of over 2.5 goals?

Over 2.5 goals occur in 65% of Montreal’s matches and 73% for Columbus, indicating a high probability of multiple goals. Both teams concede more than 1.5 goals per game and average 1.3+ goals scored, suggesting an open game. High shot volumes (Montreal 13, Columbus 11.5) and corner counts (~5 each) also contribute to attacking opportunities, reinforcing the over 2.5 goals prediction.

Are there head-to-head trends influencing this match?

There are no recent head-to-head records available between CF Montreal and Columbus Crew, so predictions rely heavily on current form, xG, and player stats. This absence increases the importance of statistical trends and team performance indicators rather than historical matchup data.

Is there a betting value angle in this fixture?

Given Montreal’s home advantage and Prince Owusu’s strong attacking metrics (2.42 shots/90, 1.33 OT/90), a 2-1 Montreal win offers value. The high BTTS (52%/73%) and Over 2.5 goals (65%/73%) rates suggest betting on both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is statistically supported. Columbus’s possession dominance may limit Montreal’s chances, but Owusu’s finishing efficiency justifies backing Montreal narrowly.