FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew odds and lines, with expert MLS picks, predictions and best bets.

FC Cincinnati (8 wins, 1 loss, 3 draws) welcomes the Columbus Crew (5-4-3) to TQL Stadium Saturday. Kickoff in the rivalry matchup is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we preview BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew odds, and make our best expert MLS picks and predictions.

FC Cincinnati is the only team that has yet to lose or draw at home. It is 7-0-0 at TQL Stadium, winning 3-0 against CF Montreal Wednesday. FCC has scored 18 goals and allowed 12 through 12 matches. It has scored in all but 1 match. Offensively, it is led by F Sergio Santos, who has 4 goals this season.

The Crew, on the other hand, are just 1-3-1 on the road this season. They have scored 23 goals, the league’s 2nd-most, only trailing Atlanta’s 25. The Crew have scored in all but 1 match as well, and they are led by M Lucas Zelarayan, who has 5 on the season. The Crew are 1-1-1 over their last 3 matches, all at home. This is their first road match since April 29.

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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 at 7:45 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: FC Cincinnati -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Columbus Crew +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Draw +260
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -130 | U: -110)

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FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew picks and predictions

Prediction

FC Cincinnati 2, Columbus Crew 2

Moneyline (ML)

SPRINKLE DRAW (+260).

FCC hasn’t always been the better side in this battle, but they were last season. Even then, they couldn’t come out on top at home. They have drawn the Crew 2-2 in their last 2 home matches and have drawn them in 3 of their last 4 matches in Cincinnati.

FCC’s home winning streak is also destined to come to an end soon. They have been half an expected goal over their opponent in 5 of 7 home matches, which suggests they are not truly dominating at home.

The Crew, on the other hand, have had as many or more expected goals in 3 of 5 road matches. This should be a close game, and I’d take the DRAW (+260) for a small unit.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET OVER 2.5 (-135).

The Crew and FCC have gone Over this total in 5 of their last 6 games and in their last 3 in Cincinnati.

The Crew have gone Over in 2 of their last 3 games and have scored multiple goals in 5 of their last 8. Their attack is one of the most lethal in the MLS. They have had at least 1 expected goal in all but 3 games. They have also allowed a goal in 4 of their last 5 and multiple goals in 2 of their last 3. Their offense is good, and their defense is average at best.

FCC has gone Over in 4 of their last 5 games and has scored multiple goals in 3 of their last 5. They have gone Over in 4 of 7 home games and have scored multiple goals in 4 of 7 as well.

Considering their strengths offensively at home and the Crew’s playstyle, back the OVER 2.5 (-135).

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FC Cincinnati at Columbus Crew odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s FC Cincinnati at Columbus Crew odds and lines, with MLS picks and predictions.

In the first match since the All-Star break, FC Cincinnati (3 wins, 8 losses, 8 draws) travel north to take on the Columbus Crew (6-9-6) Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET at Lower.com Field. Below, we preview the FC Cincinnati at Columbus Crew odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.

The matchup, dubbed the “Hell Is Real” rivalry, has typically been won by the Crew, but it’s closer than most would imagine with Columbus just 3-2-3 in the eight matches.

The hatred has stemmed from FC Cincinnati’s USL days in which it was garnering record-breaking attendance numbers. Since joining the MLS, its fortunes haven’t been as great despite building a new stadium.

Behind star M Lucas Zelarayan, the Crew enter as favorites in their recently-built stadium. The Crew are just 4-3-3 at home while FC Cincinnati is shockingly one of the 10 best road teams in the league.

FC Cincinnati at Columbus Crew: Odds, picks and predictions

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:09 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Columbus Crew -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | FC Cincinnati +370 (bet $100 to win $370) | Draw +250
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -110 | U: -120)

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Prediction

Columbus Crew 1, FC Cincinnati 1

Money line (ML)

“LEAN” to the DRAW +250 as the best bet.

In the last four rivalry matches, a draw has been the result twice with the most recent one a tough blow to Cincinnati as Columbus saw a first-half red card. Up 2-0 and up a man, FCC blew the lead.

However, that was at home where Cincinnati is the only team in the MLS that’s yet to win in front of its own fans. On the road is where it has managed its three wins.

Columbus is coming off a difficult home match. Having been up on the Seattle Sounders in the 80th minute, Columbus ended up losing as the Sounders scored twice in the final five minutes.

The confidence isn’t there, and given the differing play of FCC while not at TQL Stadium, the price for the Draw is the one to take.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET on the UNDER 2.5 (-120) despite both team’s last showing. FCC gave up four goals on the road to the New England Revolution.

However, in the four games prior, FCC allowed just one goal scored. Its goals against are the second worst in the Eastern Conference, but since the addition of D Geoff Cameron, Cincy has managed to put a competent backline together.

The Under 2.5 has hit for Columbus in four of its last eight games and should’ve hit against the Sounders as well. The Crew average just over a goal per game while giving up 27 in 21 matches.

For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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