The Columbus Crew (4 wins, 5 losses, 4 draws) welcome Charlotte FC (6-8-1) to Lower.com Field Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Columbus Crew vs. Charlotte FC odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
Charlotte kicked off June action with an impressive 2-0 home victory over the New York Red Bulls, a nationally televised game. They scored both goals in extra time.
In their first year, Charlotte sits 7th on the table. While in playoff position, they’ve scored 15 goals and allowed 18 for a -3 goal differential. They’re led by F Karol Świderski, who has 4 goals on the season.
As for the Crew, they’ve been relatively disappointing. However, they do have more points per game than Charlotte with a positive goal differential, having scored 17 and allowed 16.
Columbus is led by M Lucas Zelarayán, who has 4 goals on the season. The 2021 All-Star midfielder is among the best in the league. The Crew are 3-3-0 at home this season.
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Columbus Crew vs. Charlotte FC odds, lines, 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 at 9 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Columbus Crew -116 (bet $116 to win $100) | Charlotte FC +330 (bet $100 to win $330 | Draw +260
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
[tipico]
Prediction
Columbus 2, Charlotte 1
Money line (ML)
BET COLUMBUS -116.
Against Eastern Conference teams with a negative goal differential, the Crew are 3-1-1.
They’re 2-1-0 in those same games which are played at Lower.com Field, taking down Toronto and DC while losing to Orlando, which sits fifth in the conference.
Also, Charlotte just hasn’t been great on the road, which can be a trend with newly formed teams. Charlotte is 0-6-1 on the road and 6-2-0 at home. Those figures are startling.
With the pace and skillset of Zelarayán coupled with how the home side has played against low-tier competition, Columbus should control this match and win outright.
Over/Under (O/U)
LEAN OVER 2.5 (-112).
Five of Charlotte’s 7 home games have been over this total and 4 of the 7 have resulted in a 2-1 win for their opponent. Their last 2 road matches ended with a 2-1 loss.
For the Crew, they’ve played 6 home games and have had 3 of them hit this over.
While Charlotte does sit 7th, it isn’t in the playoff picture in terms of points per game. The Crew for 3-0 O/U this total against non-playoff Eastern Conference teams.
Both teams also rank in the top half of the league in shots, which proves the opportunities should be there.
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