Sunday MLS Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Montreal Impact vs. Philadelphia Union (Sept. 20)

Montreal vs. Philadelphia Odds

Odds updated as of Saturday at 4 p.m. ET and via DraftKings. Get up to a $1,000 sign-up bonus at DraftKings today or see more offers and reviews for the best online sportsbooks.

Only one match is on Sunday's Major League Soccer card, as Philadelphia makes the short drive up Interstate 95 and the New Jersey Turnpike to take on Montreal at Red Bull Arena.

The Eastern Conference showdown will be a "home" game for the Impact, who are making the Harrison, New Jersey, arena their base for the immediate future due to Canada's quarantine and travel restrictions tied to the global pandemic.

Montreal enters the contest at the lowest of lows, having blown a golden opportunity in the race for the Canadian Championship earlier in the week against Vancouver.

The Impact needed a win to secure a berth in the title game, but Rudy Camacho received a red card late in the first half to put the visitor down to 10 men the rest of the way. Vancouver capitalized on the advantage en route to a 3-1 victory at BC Place.

On the other side, Philadelphia is coming off a 2-1 triumph over the New England Revolution. The Union find themselves in a tie for second with Toronto FC in the conference standings.

Looking at the data and numbers, Montreal is a middle-of-the-pack team in the conference when it comes to statistical rankings. The Impact sit on 8.2 expected goals and a mediocre 11.5 expected goals against for a -3.3 xGDiff number, along with a -0.47 xGDiff/90 minutes.

Expected goals (also known as xG) is an advanced statistic that gives an indication of whether results are based on sustainable factors like a steady creation of scoring chances, or whether it is down to aspects such as luck or outstanding goalkeeping.

In contrast, Philadelphia has been one of the best in the conference in similar categories (12.3 xGF/9.2 xGA for +3.1 xGDiff and +0.39 xGDiff/90), and that should put it at a distinct advantage when it comes to match analytics.

With all that in mind, I'm backing Philadelphia to pick up the win. The Union have been one of the league's most consistent clubs and should not have any issue taking care of their foe in this spot.

Montreal's performance in that Vancouver debacle is likely going to carry over here, and I expect Thierry Henry's troops to come out flat.

I am also going to play Philadelphia to score at least two goals in the match. Expect the Union to press things out of the gate and cruise to all three points

The Bets: Philadelphia (-103); Philadelphia Total Over 1.5 Goals (-127)

[Bet Philadelphia at DraftKings and get a $1,000 sign-up bonus.]