The Philadelphia Union welcome FC Cincinnati to Subaru Park Thursday for an Eastern Conference semifinal match. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we preview Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Philadelphia Union vs. FC Cincinnati odds, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
The Union were the lone team in the East to get a 1st-round bye, barely edging out 2nd-seeded CF Montreal. The Union’s strength is in their defense, allowing a league-low 26 goals (next closest was 37).
Philadelphia was led in scoring by M Dániel Gazdag with 22 on the season. The Union won a remarkable 6 of their last 8 matches. Another key strength for the Union is GK Andre Blake. He had 15 clean sheets this season.
FC Cincinnati, on the other hand, took down the No. 4-seeded New York Red Bulls to get their spot in the conference semis. The Red Bulls’ home-field advantage was non-existent. Subaru Park should bring the energy.
This season, FCC was led by captain M Lucho Acosta. He had a team-high 12 assists and 10 goals. F Brenner and F Brandon Vazquez both had 18 goals this season, creating a lethal attacking trio.
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Philadelphia Union vs. FC Cincinnati odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:18 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Philadelphia Union -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | FC Cincinnati +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | Draw +295
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -155 | U: +122)
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Prediction
Philadelphia Union 1, FC Cincinnati 1 (Union advance on penalties)
Moneyline (ML)
LEAN DRAW (+295).
There are 2 reasons why playing a draw is smart here, and both have to do with the road side.
For starters, FCC has been a drawing machine as of late. If it weren’t for a penalty kick against the Red Bulls, that match could have ended 1-1. FCC has drawn 12 of their last 21 games.
Also, FCC has played the Union well, beating them at home and drawing them at Subaru Park earlier in the season.
This game should be close throughout, and considering how these teams have played each other this season, I’d back a Draw (+295).
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (+122).
FCC beat Philadelphia 3-1 at TQL Stadium and drew them 1-1 at Subaru Park. However, while this total would have hit in 1 of the 2, in neither of the 2 games had a team had more than 1.5 expected goals.
Philadelphia had, by far, the best defense in the MLS, so it should be expected to limit FCC.
FCC has only allowed 12 goals in their last 10 games though, so its 1.65 goals per game average hasn’t held up late in the season. The midseason addition of D Matt Miazga has aided their defense quite a bit as well.
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