Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati odds and lines, with MLS picks and predictions.

Charlotte FC (1 win, 3 losses, 0 draws) hosts FC Cincinnati (2-2-0) Saturday at Bank of America Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.

In its inaugural season, Charlotte FC won its first game last weekend, defeating the Revolution 3-1. Coming into that match, Charlotte was 0-3 and 0-1 at home.

Charlotte is led by Polish F Karol Świderski, who has 2 goals on the season. Charlotte, which is 12th on the table, has scored 4 goals and allowed 7 so far.

As for FC Cincinnati, it has rebounded nicely after a disastrous 5-0 loss to Austin FC to open the season. FCC has won 2 straight games, defeating Orlando City SC 2-1 in Orlando and beating Inter Miami 3-1 at home.

Cincinnati’s F Brandon Vazquez has 4 goals and is tied with Los Angeles FC F Carlos Vela and Columbus F Lucas Zelarayán for the MLS lead. FCC has scored 5 goals, all in the last 2 games, and allowed 8 this season.

FCC is eighth on the Eastern Conference table.

Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati: Odds, picks and predictions

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:27 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Charlotte FC +111 (bet $100 to win $111) | FC Cincinnati +245 (bet $100 to win $245) | Draw +245
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

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Prediction

FC Cincinnati 2, Charlotte FC 1

Money line (ML)

LEAN to CINCINNATI (+245).

FCC has been the hotter team and is coming off a home win. It has won 2 straight and is getting a lofty value on the road. It beat Orlando City on the road 2 weeks ago, so it can win outside of TQL Stadium

As for Charlotte, while it is also coming off a win, New England had more shots and as many shots on goal. Charlotte also has the 10th-worst duel percentage, so it doesn’t win many 50-50 balls.

Charlotte allowed 21 shots in its second game of the season against the LA Galaxy and has had as many or fewer shots in all four of its games.

Given Charlotte’s inability to limit shots and Cincinnati having won 2 straight, I’d prefer to side with the road team, which offers a far better value.

Over/Under (O/U)

LEAN to the OVER 2.5 (-112).

While I don’t have any extremely strong bets here, I do like the OVER 2.5 (-112) as the best bet in this game. The key here is both defenses have struggled this season.

For starters, neither team has had a clean sheet yet, so there is certainly a chance that each side gets on the board.

FC Cincinnati has allowed the fifth-most opponents’ goals (8) so far this season, while Charlotte (7) is tied for 10th. As for the attacks, both teams have been as impressive as either could have been so far as well.

Charlotte ranks fifth in shots on target, while FC Cincinnati ranks ninth. Again, FCC has tallied 5 goals in its last two games, while Charlotte has netted 4.

Expect both teams to get ample opportunities in this match.

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