FC Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew
Match details. MLS, Regular Season - 30. Kick-off is Sun 18 Oct, 22:00 Lagos time. It is played at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati. The referee is Drew Fischer.
What's at stake. FC Cincinnati are 9th on 36 points after 28 games, level on points with New York Red Bulls, level on points with Toronto FC. A win would take them above New York Red Bulls. Columbus Crew are 13th on 32 points after 29 games, 1 point behind DC United, 2 points clear of Atlanta United FC. A win would take them above DC United. Columbus Crew have nothing left to play for, while FC Cincinnati need the win.
Team news. FC Cincinnati are without J. Martinez (knee injury), M. Robinson (injury), J. Martinez (knee injury), M. Robinson (injury). Columbus Crew are without W. Abou Ali (knee injury), R. Camacho (chest injury), W. Abou Ali (knee injury), R. Camacho (chest injury).
Form. FC Cincinnati have won two, drawn four and lost four of their last ten, 1.0 points a game. Their last five, newest first: L W L D D. In this competition FC Cincinnati have gone L W L D D L. Columbus Crew have won four, drawn none and lost six of their last ten, 1.2 points a game. Their last five, newest first: W L W W L. In this competition Columbus Crew have gone W L W W L L.
The numbers. FC Cincinnati score 1.5 and concede 2.4 a game over their last ten, with no clean sheets and two games without a goal. FC Cincinnati average 17.5 shots (6.6 on target), 6.9 corners and 2.1 cards a game, with 54% of the ball. Columbus Crew score 1.7 and concede 1.6 a game over their last ten, with two clean sheets. Columbus Crew average 17.1 shots (6.6 on target), 6.1 corners and 2.4 cards a game, with 54% of the ball.
Head to head. In the last nine meetings FC Cincinnati have won three, drawn two and lost four. Six of the nine went over 2.5 goals and both teams scored in five. In the last four, FC Cincinnati won two and Columbus Crew won two. The last time they met, on 25 Jul 2026, it finished FC Cincinnati 1-2 Columbus Crew: FC Cincinnati had 12 shots to 13, 47% of the ball, two yellow cards.
The case against. Columbus Crew's record still gives them 42% to win.
The read. FC Cincinnati or the draw. A draw is live. An open game. Columbus Crew are the stronger side on form and the table. Their goals for and against point to an open game. Their records put over 2.5 goals at 77%. Six of the last nine meetings went over 2.5.
The bets. Best bet: Over 1.5 Goals at 1.11, 77% on the records (FC Cincinnati: over 1.5 goals in 10 of 10; Columbus Crew: over 1.5 goals in 9 of 10). Backup: 2nd Half - Over/Under: Over 0.5 at 1.12. It often rescues the bet, but it is no guarantee. Leave: FC Cincinnati or Draw & Over 1.5 (the signs point different ways); Under 4.5 Goals (no unders on an open read); Under 5.5 Goals (no unders on an open read). Predicted score: FC Cincinnati 2-1 Columbus Crew (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).