Austin FC vs CF Montreal Prediction: Austin can't afford another mistake

It's matchday 2 of the long-awaited MLS season. It's Austin versus CF Montreal at the Q2 Stadium for another exciting clash. These two teams are chasing their first win in the new season after losing the first round. 

Austin FC lost 3-2 to newcomers Saint Louis City FC, while CF Montreal were outplayed in the 2-0 defeat to Inter Miami. 

Austin FC failed to win their first match of the season. They lost 3-2 to Saint Louis City SC at home. Tom Parker opened the scoring for the visitors, before Austin equalised in the 49th minute. Both teams went into the break on level terms and in the second half Jon Gallagher put Austin ahead for the first time. Unfortunately they failed to maintain the lead, as the visitors scored a double in the 78th and 86th minute to steal all 3 points. 

In their last 5 matches, Austin FC had 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw. Austin are without a clean sheet in 3 matches and more than 2.5 goals have been scored in their last 9 matches. Austin FC have seen both teams score in ⅚ matches and they have won the first half in those games. In 8/8 matches, Austin have seen less than 4.5 cards and more than 10.5 corners were played in ⅘ matches.

Despite putting up a brilliant display in the pre-season, CF Montreal failed to win in the first round as they lost 2-0 away to Inter Miami. Serhiy Kryvstov and Shanyder Borgelin scored in both halves to hand CF Montreal their first defeat of the season. 

During the pre-season, CF Montreal had 3 wins and 1 draw in all 4 matches, with the final match ending in a 2-1 win against FC Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Montreal have 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in their last 5 matches. CF Montreal are now without a clean sheet in their last 4 matches and they have played more than 2.5 goals in ⅚ matches. They have also seen less than 4.5 cards in 5/5 matches and less than 10.5 corners in 5/5 matches. 

There's been only one encounter between CF Montreal and Austin FC and Austin won that match 1-0 last year. 

These teams failed to win in the first round and I can sense anxiety in each team. They are aware how important it is to start on a winning note and they do their best to get back on track. Austin losing to a newly promoted side is more worrying, considering how they lost in the final 20 minutes of a match. This is something they will put in consideration in this match. CF Montreal didn't face much of a challenge in the pre-season, so their true form is yet to be determined. 

• Bet on Under 3.5 Goals at 1.65 Odds
• Bet on 1st Half Draw at 2.3 Odd
• Bet on Correct Score 1-1 at 8.5 Odds