Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC
Match details. MLS, Regular Season - 29. Kick-off is Thu 15 Oct, 00:30 Lagos time. It is played at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus. The referee is Tim Ford.
What's at stake. Columbus Crew are 13th on 29 points after 28 games, 1 point behind DC United, 2 points clear of Atlanta United FC. A win would take them above DC United. Charlotte FC are 5th on 46 points after 28 games, level on points with New England Revolution, 4 points clear of Philadelphia Union. A win would take them above New England Revolution. Columbus Crew have nothing left to play for, while Charlotte FC need the win.
Team news. Columbus Crew are without W. Abou Ali (knee injury), R. Camacho (chest injury), W. Abou Ali (knee injury), R. Camacho (chest injury). Charlotte FC are without N. Berchimas (foot injury), A. Doucoure (inactive), A. Goodwin (foot injury), A. John (shoulder injury), N. Berchimas (foot injury), A. Doucoure (inactive).
Form. Columbus Crew have won three, drawn none and lost seven of their last ten, 0.9 points a game. Their last five, newest first: L W W L L. In this competition Columbus Crew have gone L W W L L W. Charlotte FC have won six, drawn three and lost one of their last ten, 2.1 points a game. Their last five, newest first: W L W D W. In this competition Charlotte FC have gone W L W D W D.
The numbers. Columbus Crew score 1.4 and concede 1.4 a game in their last five at home, with one clean sheet. Columbus Crew average 13.4 shots (5.1 on target), 5.0 corners and 2.2 cards a game, with 53% of the ball. Charlotte FC score 2.4 and concede 1.6 a game in their last five away, with one clean sheet. Charlotte FC average 11.8 shots (4.8 on target), 5.8 corners and 2.9 cards a game, with 45% of the ball.
Head to head. In the last nine meetings Columbus Crew have won two, drawn three and lost four. Five of the nine went over 2.5 goals and both teams scored in seven. In the last four, Columbus Crew won one, one was drawn and Charlotte FC won two. The last time they met, on 15 Aug 2026, it finished Columbus Crew 1-3 Charlotte FC: Columbus Crew had 26 shots to 9, 70% of the ball, three yellow cards.
The case against. Charlotte FC's record still gives them 59% to win. The meetings do not back them.
The read. Columbus Crew or the draw. A draw is live. An open game. Charlotte FC are the stronger side on form and the table; both teams' records favour Charlotte FC; the meetings favour Charlotte FC. Their goals for and against point to an open game. Their records put over 2.5 goals at 75%. Five of the last nine meetings went over 2.5.
The bets. Best bet: Over 1.5 Goals at 1.12, 77% on the records (Columbus Crew: over 1.5 goals in 4 of 5 at home; Charlotte FC: over 1.5 goals in 5 of 5 away). Backup: Columbus Crew or Both Teams Score at 1.11. It often rescues the bet, but it is no guarantee. Leave: Under 4.5 Goals (no unders on an open read); Under 5.5 Goals (no unders on an open read); 2nd Half - Over/Under: Over 0.5 (the signs point different ways). Predicted score: Columbus Crew 2-1 Charlotte FC (9% chance).
Every score's chance from both teams' checked games, never cut or rescaled. The lit square is the likeliest score that fits the read (the call and an open game).