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FC Cincinnati (16 wins, 3 draws, 8 losses) welcome the Columbus Crew (14-7-5) to TQL Stadium Saturday 1 of 2 battles in the Hell Is Real derby. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Below, we preview BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew odds, and make our best expert MLS picks and predictions.
The Crew were among the hottest teams in the league from June 14 to July 17, winning 6 of 7 matches. Since then, they are 2-1-2. Columbus has an aggressive offense, averaging 2.0 goals per game (GPG), and it has been a solid road team as well, having won 7 of 13 games. The Crew are 7-3-3 on the road. Columbus is led by F Cucho, who has 13 goals and 6 assists.
FC Cincinnati has flipped the script from last season when they won the Supporters Shield. Instead of being dominant at home, Cincinnati has struggled at TQL Stadium. It is 7-2-5 at home and has lost 4 of its last 5 games, 2 of those losses to far weaker conference opponents. Cincinnati is 5-0-5 in its last 10 games. It is led by M Luciano Acosta, who has 11 goals and 15 assists in 25 matches.
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FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 5:44 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: FC Cincinnati +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Columbus +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Draw +270 (bet $100 to win $270)
- Over/Under: 3.5 (O: +105 | U: -155)
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FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew picks and predictions
Prediction
FC Cincinnati 2, Columbus Crew 2
Moneyline (ML)
BET DRAW (+270).
FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew typically play each other well, as is the case in most true rivalries. Of the last 9 games, 2 were draws, and 5 ended within 1 goal.
The Crew and FCC have drawn 2-2 in 2 of their last 8 matches. They have also drawn in 2 of the last 3 games at TQL Stadium, and the lone non-draw was a 3-2 Crew win in the playoffs which did end 90 minutes tied.
FC Cincinnati was a fortress at home last season and should have a rowdy crowd on Saturday. The Crew are the hotter team, but Cincinnati is home. Put it all together with the trends at TQL Stadium between these 2 sides and take DRAW (+270).
Over/Under (O/U)
BET OVER 3.5 (+105).
The Crew have gone Over this total in 2 straight matches and in 4 of their last 7. They have had at least 1.8 expected goals in 8 of their last 10 games. Columbus has one of the best offenses in the MLS and will be taking on a banged-up Cincinnati defense which will be down a few key players.
FCC has the reigning MLS MVP who is a creator on the offensive end. They have scored 15 goals in their last 7 games and have topped this total in 5 of their last 7. FCC has just 3 clean sheets in its last 21 games. It has a potent offense and lacking defense.
Both offenses should be looking to attack in front of an energetic crowd. Back OVER 3.5 (+105).
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