Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 8/27/21

In-state rivals will clash on Friday evening when FC Cincinnati visits the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field. Cincinnati will look to bounce back from a 4-1 road loss to the New England Revolution last Saturday as a +529 underdog that dropped it to 13th place in the Eastern Conference at 3-8-8 overall this season. Columbus is just out of playoff position at 6-6-9 after dropping last weekend’s home match against the Seattle Sounders 2-1 as a +150 underdog.

These teams met last month in Cincinnati, battling to a 2-2 draw. Columbus leads the all-time series between the Ohio rivals 3-3-1.

Cincinnati winless in last 10 after being blown out by New England

While Cincinnati had managed six draws in nine matches heading into last weekend, it needs wins to climb the Eastern Conference table, and that wasn’t to be in New England on Saturday. The Revolution were in control throughout after scoring twice in the first 21 minutes as Brenner’s goal in the 54th wasn’t nearly enough for a rally.

As it was chasing the game, Cincinnati managed 51% possession and outshot New England 13-12, although only four of those went on target. Luciano Acosta was credited with the assist on Brenner’s strike, while Przemysław Tytoń made two saves as he wasn’t left with much of a chance on any of New England’s goals.

It’s been a tough go for Cincinnati on both sides of the ball with the offense averaging exactly one goal per game on 12.31 shots. The defense doesn’t grade out much better, with opponents putting up 1.79 goals on 15.47 shots per game, with Cincinnati has keeping five clean sheets.

Brenner leads the team with five goals in his first season with Cincinnati while adding one assist. Acosta has scored four goals while adding a team-high four assists, while Alvaro Barreal is having a nice season with three goals and two helpers.

Starting goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer left the game against Orlando City two weeks ago with an undisclosed injury and has not appeared since. Defenseman Joe Gyau, who has started 17 games this season, is questionable with an Achilles problem.

Late collapse leads to Columbus’ sixth straight loss

After taking down the Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup last season, the Crew were unable to repeat the feat on Saturday despite having a late lead, and are now out of playoff position thanks to a six-game losing streak. After the first 76 minutes of the game went scoreless despite both teams getting some good looks, Bradley Wright-Phillips tallied the opener for the Crew, only for Seattle to respond in the 87th and 89th to steal a win on the road.

Seattle had more of the ball at 56% possession, and while the Crew managed a solid 11 shots overall, only two of those went on target. Goaltender Eloy Room made three saves including two outstanding efforts in the first half to keep Columbus in it, yet it wasn’t enough to break the lengthy skid.

Offense has been tough to come by with the Crew averaging just 1.05 goals and 10.66 shots per match. Columbus’ defense has at least managed respectable numbers, allowing 1.29 goals on 14.33 shots per game while keeping six clean sheets.

All-Star Lucas Zelarayan is having a terrific season to lead the Columbus offense with six goals and two assists. Gyasi Zardes has scored four times, while Pedro Santos has two goals and a team-high three assists.

Injuries are a crucial factor for Columbus right now, as Zardes will likely miss his second straight match with a hip problem while key defender Milton Valenzuela remains out with a thigh injury. Midfielders Artur (hip) and Perry Kitchen (knee) have missed most of the season and remain out. Forward Luis Diaz was able to return from a shoulder injury to play 18 minutes against Seattle and should be a little closer to full strength on Friday.

Side prediction: Columbus 0.5 (-110)

Total: Under 2.5 (-120)

As poorly as Columbus is playing in general right now, it has at least managed a 4-3-3 record at home with the three losses coming against strong competition. This is a great matchup for the Crew to get back on track against a Cincinnati team that is struggling nearly as badly, as it is hard to see the visitors generating any offense here.

While both offenses have some pretty ugly numbers on the season, the big difference is the fact that Cincinnati’s defense is also the worst in MLS with 1.76 expected goals allowed per game. Columbus’ defense will be the best unit on the field as it is closer to league average, and the advanced stats indicate the Crew are a little unfortunate to be giving up so many goals lately.

The good news for the Columbus offense on Friday is that Zelarayan will be the best playmaker on the field, and there are a few other capable veterans like Darlington Nagbe in the starting lineup. Even the injury-riddled Crew are too talented to be as bad as they’ve shown lately, and this is a great opportunity for the defending champs to get back in the win column.

These are two of the worst offenses in MLS right now, and while they combined for four goals in the first meeting, both have slumped badly since. Cincinnati has managed a grand total of two goals in its last six games, a trend that is likely to continue against a decent Columbus defense that features a strong keeper in Room.

Columbus isn’t doing a whole lot better with six combined goals during its six-game losing streak, and the loss of Zardes is huge as he’s a tough cover for anyone due to his strength in the box. With the current form both offenses are in, this could easily finish 1-0.na