The Columbus Crew (5 wins, 5 losses, 6 draws) welcome the Philadelphia Union (7-2-8) to Lower.com Field Sunday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
The Crew will return home after an unbeaten 2-game road trip. They drew Salt Lake City 0-0 and then beat Toronto FC 2-1. They haven’t lost in 4 straight matches.
Columbus has been led this season by 2021 All-Star M Lucas Zelarayán. While he leads the club with 4 goals, Columbus has 3 other players who have scored 3 times this season. The Crew have scored 20 goals and allowed 18 in 16 matches.
Philadelphia has 1 of the best defenses in the MLS. Captained by GK Andre Blake, they’ve allowed a league-low 13 goals in 17 matches this season. F Dániel Gazdag has scored a team-high 7 goals.
The Union’s 2 losses have been on the road. Philadelphia has had fewer expected goals than its opponent in 4 of 8 road matches this season.
Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.
Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union 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 1:41 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Columbus Crew +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Philadelphia Union +225 (bet $100 to win $225) | Draw +225
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)
[tipico]
Prediction
Philadelphia Union 2, Columbus Crew 0
Money line (ML)
LEAN PHILADELPHIA (+225).
The Crew have been hit or miss at home. They’ve played 7 home games, losing 3 of them, and against the team sitting tied for first in the Eastern Conference, they’ll be up for a tough challenge.
The Union rank second in interceptions and first in save rate. They’re a side that’s well-coached defensively. Considering Columbus isn’t a strong attacking side, it will likely struggle to break the Union down.
Columbus sits tied for the 9th-most goals in the East. It could easily be shut out against a dominant Philadelphia defense. Similarly, Philadelphia has scored in all but 1 road game.
The Crew are 0-3-0 at home against opponents in playoff position.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (-135).
As mentioned, the Union are a top defense but have barely averaged over a goal per game offensively. They’ve gone under this total in 6 of their last 7 games.
Columbus has gone under this total in 9 of its last 13 matches.
Both teams rank in the bottom half of the league in total attacking assists. With 2 clubs both with above-average defenses and below-average attacks, expect a low-scoring match.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=3296]