Charlotte FC (8 wins, 12 losses, 2 draws) welcomes the Columbus Crew (7-5-9) to Bank of America Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we preview the Charlotte FC vs. Columbus Crew odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
Back in playoff position, the Crew will look to capitalize on the road. Columbus has been a drawing machine, tying 6 of 11 away matches this season.
The Crew, who haven’t lost since May 21, are led by 2021 All-Star M Lucas Zelarayán. F Derrick Etienne and Zelarayán lead the team in both goals (5 each) and assists (also 5 apiece). Columbus is 4-0-5 in its last 9 matches.
Charlotte FC, in its first MLS season in the MLS, started off strong but hasn’t been able to sustain that play, dropping 4 of its last 6. Charlotte is tough at home, however, winning 7 of 10 there, including 3 of its last 4.
Charlotte is led by 25-year-old Polish F Karol Świderski, who is tied with a team-best 5 goals to go along with 2 assists.
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Charlotte FC vs. Columbus Crew 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 Friday at 7:34 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Charlotte FC +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Columbus Crew +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Draw +235
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
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Prediction
Columbus Crew 1, Charlotte FC 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN DRAW (+235).
This 1-1 final would be exactly how the 1st game between these two played out June 18 at Lower.com Field. Columbus has drawn 4 of its last 7 matches.
While Charlotte hasn’t played to a draw in its last 6 matches, 4 of those contests were 1-goal finals. So, Charlotte has been playing close games.
With 25 goals in 22 matches, Charlotte is not an aggressive side; the same can be said of Columbus, which has just 27 goals in 21 games. Both teams also rank in the top half of the MLS in passing rate and save rate.
Columbus plays to its opponent level, and Charlotte has been prone to close-fought matches as of late. Considering that and that both teams are slower, meticulous sides, the play here is DRAW (+235).
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (-120).
As noted above, neither team puts the ball in the back of the net at a high rate. Both clubs rank in the bottom half of the league in shots on target and total attacking assists.
Along those lines, there isn’t much starpower on display as neither side has a player with more than 5 goals on the season.
Columbus is 9-12 O/U 2.5 goals, while Charlotte is 13-9 O/U 2.5 goals with its point of struggle on the defensive end, allowing 1.41 goals per game. Fortunately for Charlotte, Columbus has the 6th-fewest goals in the East.
This has all the indications of a low-scoring battle.
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