MLS: NYCFC vs. Columbus Crew Preview, Betting Tips, Predictions, Picks

The weekend’s opening game in the MLS is the one between New York City FC and Columbus Crew. These two conference rivals are coming into this event in different moods, with the hosts having major problems in finding consistency and a positive rhythm, while on the other end, the Crew is on the rise, sitting in the playoff zone. The hosts are the favorites according to the odds, but many would disagree with that. By the way, the game takes place at the famous Yankee Stadium. 

Preview

New York City FC (+115) is in terrible shape, not winning the past nine games across all the competitions, eight in MLS and one in the US Open Cup. Six of those events saw City losing, which indicates that Nick Cushing’s boys are in one hell of trouble. 

The FC has plenty of problems up front, with them failing to score in the past two events, which ended 0-0, vs. Revolution at home and Real Salt Lake on the road. 

City hadn’t won in three home contests, losing to Philly Union and FC Cincinnati, 1-3 both, before meeting with the Revolution. That was the first meeting after six in a row in which both teams netted. Overall, their contests at home bring a solid amount of goals.

Columbus Crew (+220) had a poor May, but as soon as June began, the Crew started pounding hard, having three wins in a row, all of them spiced up with high efficiency. 

After winning at home against the Colorado Rapids, 3-2, they were better than Charlotte at home, 4-2, and eventually defeated Chicago Fire at Soldier Field last weekend, 1-2.

Now about the efficiency of Columbus’ games. Only two of the recent 10 games haven’t seen three or more goals, and those same events haven’t ended with both teams scoring. It is the same on the road, with four of five outings ending with both teams netting and over 2.5 goals. 

Latest News

Keaton Parks and Thiago Martins are injured for the hosts, and these two guys will be out until mid-July. 

Columbus will be without Gustavi Vallecilla, William Sands and Milos Degenek. 

Head to Head 

This will be the first meeting of the year between these rivals. Last year’s two saw both hosts using the home-court field, with City winning 2-0, and Columbus beating the opponents 3-2 in its own home. 

Since 2017, we’ve seen seven clashes between NYCFC and Columbus, and only one didn’t end with three or more goals. Meanwhile, five were with both teams scoring.

Prediction

The hosts usually play interesting football at home, usually with hits on both ends and a notable number of goals. The same applies to the guests from Columbus, whose contests away from their Lower.com Field are open, fast, and efficient. That’s why we want to focus on goals here and avoid betting on the full-time result. Our strongest pick is both teams to score, with the current odds priced at -166. The chances of seeing at least one hit on both ends of the field are high, and we are going with it. 

Pick: Both teams to score -166