In an MLS opener, Austin FC welcomes FC Cincinnati Saturday to Q2 Stadium for a 6 p.m. ET kickoff. Below, we preview the Austin FC vs. FC Cincinnati odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
Having disappointed since joining the MLS from the USL, FC Cincinnati is in store for another rough season, returning most of the same roster that finished 4-22-8 (W-L-draw) last season. It was 3-11-3 on the road last year.
F Brenner is expected to start and be Cincinnati’s key offensive weapon.
Austin lost its leading scorer per 90 minutes (0.42 goals), F McKinze Gaines, to newcomer Charlotte FC. Austin still has F Sebastián Driussi, who should take Gaines’ spot up top – Driussi scored 5 goals in 17 matches last season.
Austin didn’t do much better than Cincy last year, finishing 9-21-4 last season, placing second-to-last (out of 13 teams) in the Western Conference.
Austin 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 at 1:14 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Austin FC -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | FC Cincinnati +450 (bet $100 to win $450) | Draw +320
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -125 | U: +102)
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Prediction
Austin 2, FC Cincinnati 1
Money line (ML)
PASS.
Austin FC (-170) is a bit too pricey in this situation, especially as FC Cincinnati’s roster should have built some chemistry over the last year of competition.
The two clubs combined to surrender 130 goals last season. FC Cincinnati allowed 74 and Austin FC yielded 56. Offensively, they both averaged just over a goal per game.
This is why BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE (-122) is my favorite bet of the match.
Over/Under (O/U)
LEAN to the OVER 2.5 (-125).
FC Cincinnati gave up 2.18 goals per game last season and didn’t do much to strengthen its backline. Austin added Columbian M Jhojan Valencia this offseason, dubbed its most important addition by several publications.
MF Alex Ring should be able to get more involved in the attack, helping produce goals, which is what the club lacked last season.
Given both soft defenses, goals should be plentiful.
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