MLS, played Monday, August 21st, 2023
Here is our Columbus v Cincinnati tip and game preview. Based on our detailed analysis of statistics listed below and other factors, we predicted both teams to not score in this game, under 2.5 goals, and a Columbus home win. Our confidence in this tip was low relative to other tips.
The MLS season resumes this weekend and Sunday evening features this upcoming all-Eastern Conference clash between sixth placed Columbus Crew and the Conference leaders, FC Cincinnati, when the two teams face off at Lower.com Field in Ohio with a valuable three points up for grabs for both teams.
Columbus Crew headed into the season break on the back of a disappointing 3-2 defeat away from home at Portland Timbers but the hosts had previously put together an impressive eight-match unbeaten run in the MLS which consisted of five wins and three draws which has helped maintain Columbus' place in the top six pack of the Eastern Conference.
Perhaps just as important is the fact that Columbus Crew have picked up four wins of these five overall on home soil at their Lower.com Field where they've posted victories against Colorado Rapids, Charlotte, Nashville and New York RB and The Crew will be looking to rekindle this sort of form when the season resumes on Sunday night.
The bigger picture shows Columbus Crew have also been a very tough unit to beat on home soil in the MLS as the hosts have been dealt just the one defeat in their previous 18 matches along with collecting no fewer than 11 wins in the process.
FC Cincinnati occupy top spot in the Eastern Conference where they hold a commanding eight-point cushion over second placed New England Revolution prior to the resumption of this season's campaign, and the visitors have posted recent back-to-back wins in the MLS in the shape of victories against New York RB and Nashville respectively.
Indeed, FC Cincinnati deserve their place at the summit of the Eastern Conference as the visitors have stumbled to just the one loss in their last 15 matches overall in the US top flight, that being a 3-0 defeat away from home at DC United, but they've also achieved 10 wins in the process as well.
However, FC Cincinnati have managed to pick up only three wins on the road out of these 10 victories as they registered wins at Colorado Rapids, New York City and New York RB, so they are by no means guaranteed all three points when they make their way to Ohio for Sunday evening's encounter with Columbus Crew.
Columbus Crew v FC Cincinnati Verdict
Columbus Crew have also held the upper hand over FC Cincinnati in previous exchanges on home soil as the hosts have won each of the previous three home games against the visitors, picking up 2-0, 3-2 and 3-0 home wins respectively and The Crew may well fancy their chances of extending this sequence on Sunday night against the Conference leaders.
Therefore, our main bet will be Columbus Crew win @ 1.95
Other side bets worth considering:
Columbus Crew win & Under 2.5 goals @ 5.50:
Correct score: Columbus Crew 2-0 @ 11.00
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| A | Portland Timbers | 3-2 |
| H | New York City | 1-1 |
| A | Inter Miami | 2-2 |
| H | New York Red Bulls | 2-1 |
| H | Nashville | 2-0 |
| All ResultsHome Results | ||
| H | Nashville | 3-1 |
| A | New York Red Bulls | 1-2 |
| A | Charlotte | 2-2 |
| H | New England | 2-2 |
| A | DC United | 3-0 |
| All ResultsAway Results | ||