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Monterrey welcomes Columbus Crew to Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico, Wednesday. Kickoff in the 2nd leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals is set for 10:15 p.m. ET. Below, we preview FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Monterrey vs. Columbus Crew odds, and make our best expert soccer picks and predictions.
The Crew won the 1st of the 2-leg series 2-1 at home April 24. They ended with 2 more shots and 2 more shots on target, concluding with 55% of the possession as well. Columbus won the MLS Cup last season and sits 5th in the Eastern Conference this season, having totaled 15 points in 10 matches. F Cucho leads the way for the road side, having tallied 4 goals in 8 league games.
Monterrey took down Inter Miami a combined 5-2 in the quarterfinal and FC Cincinnati 3-1 in the Round of 16 to get to this point. Inter and FCC sit 1st and 2nd in the Eastern Conference, so Monterrey has beaten some of the top MLS sides. It has struggled as of late though, going 1-1-3 in its last 5 league matches. Monterrey added FC Cincinnati F Brandon Vazquez, who has netted 6 goals in 15 matches within his first few months with the team.
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Monterrey vs. Columbus Crew odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 11:47 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Monterrey -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Columbus Crew +450 (bet $100 to win $450) | Draw +340
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -142 | U: +102)
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Monterrey vs. Columbus Crew picks and predictions
Prediction
Columbus Crew 1, Monterrey 1
Moneyline (ML)
SPRINKLE DRAW (+340).
For the first time in really the entire CONCACAF Champions Cup, Monterrey was outplayed, and the Crew have a strong team with a solid formation that can break into the middle of the Monterrey lineup. M Diego Rossi and Cucho are very good at possessing and should be able to keep the dynamic Monterrey attack at bay.
Columbus has more corners, more possession and more shots. The Crew showed last season that, when the lights are the brightest, they play their best soccer, and that should continue Wednesday. With Monterrey struggling in league play and having been outplayed, also at the end of its season and potentially with tired legs, avoid Monterrey as a favorite.
Back DRAW (+340).
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (+102).
Both teams defend at a high level.
Monterey has allowed just 1 goal per game this season, while the Crew are allowing 0.9. The Crew have held 2 of their last 3 MLS opponents scoreless, and both of their quarterfinal matchups against Tigres went Under this total. All 4 of their Round of 16 or quarterfinal matchups went Under this total.
Monterrey is 3-1 O/U in its 4 Round of 16 or quarterfinal matchups, but the Crew, who should possess better than either of those sides, should be able to slow the Monterrey attack. Take UNDER 2.5 (+102).
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