The Columbus Crew (6 wins, 5 losses, 8 draws) host FC Cincinnati (7-7-6) at Lower.com Field Sunday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
The Crew didn’t have a strong start to the season, but they haven’t lost since May 21. Columbus is coming off a 2-2 draw with D.C. United following a 3-2 win on the road over Chicago.
Columbus sits 8th in the East, so right outside of playoff position. It does have a plus-3 goal differential which is better than 4 playoff-caliber teams. The Crew are led by F Derrick Etienne with 5 goals on the season.
FC Cincinnati will be without their captain M Luciano Acosta, who has 6 goals and 6 assists on the season. F Brandon Vazquez leads the team with 10 goals and has 4 assists.
FCC has actually been better on the road this season, posting a 4-3-3 record. They have won 3 of their last 5 road matches and have yet to lose to a team in the East on the road that is not in playoff position.
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Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati 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 7:52 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Columbus Crew -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | FC Cincinnati +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | Draw +285
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -155 | U: +122)
[tipico]
Prediction
Columbus 2, FC Cincinnati 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN COLUMBUS -122.
FC Cincinnati is coming into this match without arguably the league’s best distributor, and while it didn’t seem to impact them against Vancouver, in a high-intensity match, it should play a factor.
FCC has drawn 4 straight matches while Columbus is making up ground in the standings, winning 2 of its last 4 and drawing the other two. It shouldn’t be quite at Columbus’ level without Acosta.
Lucho is, by far, the team’s leader in passes completed. They were able to get away without him once, but on the road in a chaotic atmosphere is going to cause problems.
Expect the Crew, who have won the last two Hell Is Real derbies in Columbus.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET OVER 2.5 (-155).
The last 4 matches between these 2 teams have gone over this total. It’s a battle that’s typically played at a high pace.
Cincinnati has topped 3.5 goals in 3 of its last 4 games as well, so it’s a type of style it’ll thrive in. FCC has scored the 4th-most goals in the East while allowing the 3rd-most.
Columbus has gone over this total in 3 of its last 4 games.
So, their style of play has changed recently also. Couple the 2 together, and a high-scoring game is likely which is why Over 2.5 (-155), despite the juice, is my favorite bet of the match.
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