FC Cincinnati (home)
- FC Cincinnati are 17th in MLS 2026 with 36 points from 27 games.
- It could be Cincinnati's game to lose when the Ohio rivals meet at TQL Stadium on Sunday as the Orange and Blue are the betting favorites.
- Pat Noonan has kept Cincinnati going since December 2021 and the three centre-back formation with high wing-backs that he has used to good effect since December 2021 appears to be working again.
- The Orange and Blue returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at Atlanta United last week.
- FC Cincinnati's home record in MLS 2026 is 7-3-2 from 12 matches.
Columbus Crew (away)
- Columbus Crew are 27th in MLS 2026 with 29 points from 28 matches.
- The Crew, who are led by Laurent Courtois, have won three and lost two of their last five matches, so they also arrive with some momentum in this derby.
- The Crew may have won the last meeting between the two sides 2-1 at home two months ago.
- Columbus will have enough quality to keep this derby close and competitive with a win just as likely as a loss.
Head-to-Head
- The Crew may have won the last meeting between the two sides 2-1 at home two months ago.
- FC Cincinnati have won two of the previous three home meetings against The Crew.
Key Players
- Kevin Denkey has been Cincinnati's main man this season, netting 14 goals in MLS 2026 and five of their last nine.
- Brais Mendez has scored three of Columbus' eight goals in their previous five matches, so he is their most likely goal scorer on Sunday.
- Diego Rossi is still their highest scorer with six from 15 league games, however, so he can provide the sharp end to any Crew attack.
Betting Insights
- FC Cincinnati are priced at 1.9 to win the matchup, with Columbus at 3.3 and the draw at 4.1.
- The odds on both teams scoring (1.33) and Over 2.5 goals (1.35) look very tempting given the season stats for these clubs.
- Cincinnati average 2.83 goals scored and 2.00 goals conceded per match at home in MLS 2026.
- Columbus average 1.57 goals scored and 2.14 goals conceded on their travels.
- The Crew have only scored eight goals in their last five games, but let in three goals late on in a 3-2 defeat at Orlando City on the same weekend last month.
- The style contrast between Cincinnati, who like to press in bursts and overload wings, and Columbus, who prefer to bait the opposition into pressing before playing their way out, will set up a classic width vs possession matchup.
Prediction
- Our belief is that there will be goals at each end of the field.
- With Cincinnati as betting favorites and both sides showing attacking records and recent goals conceded, both teams to score looks likely.
- Columbus' recent momentum and ability to score in clusters means this derby should stay competitive and close.