CF Montreal v Charlotte FC: Courtois has Gervais backing despite poor run

Laurent Courtois retains the backing of CF Montreal president Gabriel Gervais despite a miserable run of form hampering their playoff hopes ahead of Saturday's clash with Charlotte FC.

Montreal sit 13th in the Eastern Conference standings, five points adrift of the wild-card spots with seven games of the regular season remaining.

They were trounced 4-1 at FC Cincinnati prior to the international break, having suffered a humiliating 5-0 home loss to Inter Miami just one week earlier. 

Despite those results, Gervais remains convinced Courtois is the right man to oversee Montreal's push for the postseason.

"The expectations are the same and we want to get to the playoffs. I'm optimistic and I believe in it, but it's up to the coach and the players to find solutions," Gervais said.

"The last two performances have been unacceptable. Especially the 5-0 defeat at home. Personally, I haven't digested it as a director, as a former player and as a fan. 

"Laurent is a young head coach and there are a lot of things to work on, but I believe in him. I'm not one to panic or have an impulsive reaction."

Charlotte, meanwhile, sit sixth in the East and look good for a playoff spot in their first campaign under Dean Smith.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Ashley Westwood has been one of their key performers this term, and he penned a new two-year contract with the club earlier this week.

"Life in Charlotte has been an incredible experience for me and my family, and I'm extremely happy to re-sign with the club," Westwood said. 

"I joined Charlotte FC at a very rough point following a serious injury, and it's been a breath of fresh air that has truly revitalised my career. 

"We know we can reach greater heights, and I'm excited to continue leading this group."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CF Montreal – Josef Martinez 

Five of Montreal's last seven regular-season goals have been scored by substitutes. 

Montreal have seen an MLS-high 12 goals scored by substitutes this season, including Martinez with a joint-league high four goals off the bench.

Charlotte FC – Karol Swiderski 

Two of Charlotte's last three goals have been scored from the penalty spot, with Swiderski netting both. 

Swiderski has a perfect six-from-six record from the penalty spot in his MLS career, one of six players to take at least six penalties over the last three seasons and convert all of them.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Montreal have gone unbeaten through their four all-time meetings with Charlotte (three wins, one draw). Montreal are the only team Charlotte have faced more than twice in regular-season MLS play without recording at least one win.

However, Saturday's hosts have lost five of their last six matches in all competitions (one win) after only losing two of their previous 11 dating back to late May (three wins, six draws).

Charlotte, meanwhile, have avoided defeat in five of their last six regular-season road games, winning three and drawing two. It would be no surprise to see the spoils shared.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

CF Montreal – 35.5% 

Charlotte FC – 38.5%

Draw – 26.1%