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.
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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.
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