Montreal Impact vs. Orlando City – MLS, November 1, 2020

Montreal Impact faces Orlando City at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, November 1, with the Lions sitting 12 points ahead of Thierry Henry’s side in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Canadians head into the weekend’s action on a two-game losing streak, while Orlando returned to winning ways in midweek with a thumping 4-1 victory over Atlanta United.

I discuss the bookies’ odds before sharing my Montreal Impact vs. Orlando City prediction and betting pick.

It’s difficult to imagine Orlando (2.25) losing this one. The Lions have only suffered one defeat in their last 14 outings, so I think the top online betting sites have been pretty generous with their price for the away win here.

Montreal (2.80) comes into this clash on a poor run of just one win in five games, so don’t be lured in by the high odds for the home victory.

Montreal only lost 1-0 to Nashville earlier in the week, but it could have been a whole lot worse. The team from Tennessee completely dominated the Impact, with Henry’s men managing to register just two shots on target.

The Quebec club hasn’t been shy when it comes to attacking this year, so I was slightly surprised that Montreal fired a blank last time out. Only the top four teams in the Eastern Conference have scored more goals than the Impact in 2020, although Henry’s side does have the worst defensive record in the division.

If Montreal ends up missing out on a playoff spot this season, their backline will almost certainly be to blame. Having conceded 40 goals in 21 games, Henry’s men can’t have any complaints if they finish outside the top ten.

Still, the Impact has two games to turn things around.

Thierry Henry was mic’d up during Montreal Impact’s recent game against Nashville ?

pic.twitter.com/vuHypC9K6C

— The Coaches' Voice (@CoachesVoice) October 28, 2020

The Lions secured their playoff berth a long time ago, with a 12-game unbeaten streak – six wins and six draws – firing the club into the next phase of the competition. Following an indifferent campaign last year, Oscar Pareja’s men have seriously upped their game in 2020.

Orlando’s unbeaten run was finally ended by Inter Miami last weekend, but Pareja’s men sent out a big statement to the rest of the league on Wednesday. Goals from Daryl Dike, Christopher Mueller, Tasho Akindele, and Matheus Aias saw the Lions crush Atlanta 4-1.

As expected, the Florida club wasted no time in returning to winning ways. Orlando proved that last weekend’s loss to Miami was merely a blip, and the team will be brimming with confidence again following such an emphatic victory.

More often than not, Montreal finds a way to score. But even if the Impact does hit the target on Sunday, the Lions have proved that they possess more than enough firepower to outscore their opponents.

I’m not expecting this to be a straightforward win, but I am confident that Orlando will claim all three points this weekend.