DC United vs. Columbus Crew Prediction, Preview, and Odds -10/30/21

DC United vs. Columbus Crew

The 2021 MLS season is heating up with the MLS Cup Playoffs just around the corner, so we’re taking a closer look at the Eastern Conference showdown between DC United and Columbus Crew at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Both teams are fighting for the playoff spots and will take on each other for the third time this season. They split the previous two encounters at Lower.com Field in Columbus, while DC United has won four of its last five contests against the Crew.

The Black and Red beat the Red Bulls to stop their four-game winless streak

DC United is coming off a 1-0 home win to the New York Red Bulls this past Wednesday. The Black and Red broke out of their slump after earning only one point in their previous four outings, but it wasn’t a good performance at all. DC United kept the ball in possession for 40 percent of the time and took just four shots while surrendering 18 in a return.

The Black and Red are now sitting at the seventh spot of the Eastern Conference standings with 44 points from 32 games (W13, D5, L14) and a 52:50 goal difference. They are only one point ahead of NY Red Bulls and CF Montreal, who both have a game in hand.

Striker Ola Kamara has been DC United’s best player for most of the season, tallying 17 goals and four assists in 26 appearances, However, he has found the back of the net only once in his previous eight outings.

The Crew still have a slim chance to make the playoffs

The reigning MLS Cup champions are in a difficult situation, sitting at the 10th spot of the Eastern Conference standings with 41 points from 32 games (W11, D8, L13) and a 41:44 goal difference. If they want to reach the postseason, the Crew have to win their next two games and hope for the other results to go their way.

Columbus is coming off a 3-2 home victory to Orlando City this past Wednesday. It was their second win in the last four showings along with a 2-1 home loss to the Red Bulls and a 1-1 road stalemate at Nashville SC.

Striker Gyasi Zardes leads the way for the Crew with 11 goals in 24 appearances. Midfielder Lucas Zelarayan found the back of the net against the Red Bulls and now has ten goals and seven assists on his tally, while winger Pedro Santos added four goals and six assists.

The Pick: Draw at Halftime

I would stay away from the side bet. The stake is enormous for both clubs, and this clash could easily go three-way. Back in June, the Crew beat DC 3-1, while the Black and Red bounced back with a 4-2 road victory in August.

Betting on a draw at halftime seems like a reasonable move. Both teams are in a must-win situation and could easily take a cautious approach in the first 45 minutes. The Crew are winless in eight straight outings away from home, but they’ve earned a couple of draws in their previous three road contests.

The Total Prediction: Both Teams to Score YES

Whoever breaks the deadlock will force the other team to push forward in numbers. As I’ve mentioned, the stake is huge and both teams will aim for a win. A draw doesn’t work for either side, so give me BTTS YES at -133.

Three of the last four encounters between DC United and Columbus saw both teams scoring, including their first two duels in 2021. The Black and Red kept their net intact just twice over their last eight home contests, while the Crew found the net in four straight outings, scoring nine goals in that stretch.