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Major League Soccer
Sep 15, 2024 at 12.30am UK
Dr. DY Patil Stadium
CC

Cincinnati
0 - 0
Columbus Crew


Awaziem (78'), Nwobodo (88')
FT

Preview: FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

This weekend's clash between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew promises to be a high-stakes encounter as both teams continue their fight for dominance at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference.

The hosts, currently second in the standings, are eager to regain their footing after a rocky run of form saw them surrender their lead, losing four of their last five games before a resounding 4-1 win in their last match.


Match preview

FC Cincinnati enter this match motivated, having snapped a four-game losing streak with a crucial 4-1 win in their last outing, regaining confidence after a poor stretch of form that followed their dominant 6-1 victory over Inter Miami in July.

Despite their recent struggles, Cincinnati have managed to stay in second place in the Eastern Conference with 51 points from 27 games, boasting 16 wins, three draws and eight losses. They now face the challenge of keeping their Supporters' Shield hopes alive with Inter Miami just eight points ahead.

The Orange and Blue's offensive strength this season has been driven by their league MVP, Luciano Acosta, who leads both the team and the league in assists while also being their top goalscorer even though he missed the last game due to a yellow card suspension.

Cincinnati's defence remains a concern, having conceded 36 goals this season, and they will need to tighten up against a Columbus side featuring one of the league's top scorers, Cucho Hernandez, especially after their recent losing streak exposed vulnerabilities in defeats to teams like the New York Red Bulls and Inter Miami.

This fixture also holds an extra edge as the hosts seek to avenge their playoff exit at the hands of Columbus last season. Despite their strong regular season showing last year, Cincinnati were eliminated in the postseason by their Ohio rivals, a loss that still lingers as they meet again in this crucial encounter.

Columbus Crew head into this clash in strong form despite their recent 4-0 loss to Seattle Sounders, a defeat that snapped their impressive eight-game winning streak across all competitions. That run included their first-ever Leagues Cup trophy win and a string of dominant performances that have kept them in the top three of the Eastern Conference.

Offensively, Columbus have been one of the most productive teams in MLS this season, scoring 52 goals, the second-highest total in the Eastern Conference. Key to this has been their forward, Hernandez, who has continued where he left off last season.

On the defensive front, Columbus have been equally impressive, conceding just 28 goals — the lowest in the league. This defensive stability has been a cornerstone of their success, anchored by a backline that has excelled at keeping clean sheets even though their recent loss to Seattle raised questions about their defensive solidity.

Columbus will be eager to avenge their 2-1 home loss to Cincinnati earlier this season, drawing confidence from last season's playoff victory over their rivals and their strong overall head-to-head record, with local bragging rights and a playoff push adding extra tension to this already fierce matchup.

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:


FC Cincinnati form (all competitions):


Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:


Columbus Crew form (all competitions):



Team News

For Cincinnati, defender Miles Robinson and midfielder Ian Murphy will be unavailable due to suspension for accumulating yellow cards, each missing one game.

Additionally, the hosts will be without defender Matthew Miazga and midfielder Isaiah Foster, both sidelined with knee injuries expected to keep them out until mid and early October, respectively.

Midfielder Yamil Asad is also out with a knee injury, with a return expected in early October. Defender Nick Hagglund is set to return by late September from a leg injury, while goalkeeper Alec Kann is recovering from a hip injury and is anticipated to be back by late September.

They will, however, benefit from the return of Luciano Acosta and DeAndre Yedlin, who are back in the lineup after serving suspensions.

Columbus Crew will be missing goalkeeper Evan Bush due to an arm injury, and Abraham Romero will serve a one-game suspension for a direct red card.

Meanwhile, forward Cucho Hernandez remains a key player in form, contributing significantly to the team's attack.


FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Hadebe, Awaziem, Yedlin; Orellano, Nwobodo, Bucha, Kubo; Gioacchini, Acosta; Santos

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Camacho, Amundsen; Farsi, Nagbe, Matan, DeJuan Jones; Rossi; Ramirez, Hernandez


We say: FC Cincinnati 2-1 Columbus Crew

Cincinnati's recent resurgence and home advantage should give them the edge, despite their defensive vulnerabilities.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Premier League Table

Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721
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