Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew Predictions, Lineups and Betting Tips

Match Details: 13th July, 2025 | The TQL Stadium, Ohio | Major League Soccer Eastern Section

Eastern section leaders Cincinnati face a tough test on Sunday, as they take on fourth placed Columbus Crew, who sit just four points behind them after 21 games.

The two sides have played out some ferociously competitive meetings in recent years, and there has been very little to separate the two teams, with their last two clashes ending level. Should Cincinnati lose, they could fall as far as third depending on other results, while Columbus Crew could rise as high as second.

Key Betting Tip: Both teams to score at odds of 1.47 represents good value for the betting tip provided by our in-house tipsters.

Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew Predicted Lineups

Cincinnati Predicted XI (5-3-2): Roman Celentano (GK); Luca Orellano, Lukas Engel, Matt Miazga, Alvas Elvis Powell, DeAndre Yedlin; Pavel Bucha, Evander Ferreira, Brian Anunga; Kevin Denkey, Kei Ansu Kamara.

Winning four of their last five MLS fixtures, the Cincinnati lineup has seen very little change in that time, with coach Pat Noonan preferring to start a stable starting eleven in favour instead of rotating the squad.

And for good reason - Evander Ferreira has scored five goals in their last three games, while striker Kevin Denkey has chipped in with vital finishes to secure them three points in two of their last four.

However, they are suffering from something of an injury crisis - Gilberto Flores, Nick Hagglund, Obinna Nwobodo, Sergio Santos and Yuya Kubo are all missing until at least the last week of July.

Columbus Crew Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Evan Bush (GK); Evgen Cheberko, Sean Zawadzki, Steven Moreira; Ibrahim Aliyu, Darlington Nagbe, Dylan Chambost, Mohamed Farsi; Daniel Gazdag; Jacen Russell-Rowe, Diego Rossi.

Another squad where little change has been necessary, Columbus Crew have managed three wins in their last five, with a draw and defeat bookending the three defeats.

Across those five games, Columbus Crew have registered a variety of goalscorers - Diego Rossi and Russell-Rowe have two, while Farsi, Herrera, Aliyu and Cesar Ravulcaba have one to their name.

However, like Cincinnati, Columbus Crew have been struck by injuries, and will be missing Malte Amundsen, Nicholas Hagen, Patrick Schulte and Rudy Camacho for this game.

Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew Current League Standings

Both in the MLS Eastern section, this weekend's opponents have put in stellar campaigns to date. Cincinnati, who topped the division in 2023, once again find themselves in the thick of the title race, and so far have been churning out the results to match, managing to grind out wins even when playing below par.

However, last campaign they finished third, behind runners up Columbus Crew, and the two sides know that this weekend's clash will be tightly contested - Cincinnati know that Columbus Crew have the marginal edge in the head to head record, and that will be playing on their minds ahead of kick-off.

Columbus Crew, though fourth placed, are in the perfect place to strike should one of the top teams slip up - sitting behind Nashville and Philadelphia as well as Cincinnati, Columbus could overtake both the former teams if they win here and the other two suffer defeats.

Both sides can hardly be separated in terms of goals difference - Cincinnati sit on +6, while Columbus Crew lie one above them on +7 with an extra goal scored.

Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew Head to Head Timeline

As mentioned earlier, their head to head battle has tightened up considerably in recent years - both of their last two games have ended in draws, and three of the previous four winning margins have been by a single goal.

Last Five Head to Head Meetings:

• May 2025: Columbus Crew 1-1 Cincinnati (MLS)
• Sept 2024: Cincinnati 0-0 Columbus Crew (MLS)
• May 2024: Columbus Crew 1-2 Cincinnati (MLS)
• Dec 2023: Cincinnati 2-3 Columbus Crew (MLS Play-Offs)
• Aug 2023: Columbus Crew 3-0 Cincinnati (MLS)

Cincinnati’s last victory in this fixture came just over a year ago, when two goals in three minutes from Kevin Kelsy and Luciano Acosta gave the Ohio based side enough of an advantage to win, rendering Max Arfsten’s late finish as only a consolation.

In the meeting prior to that, Columbus Crew tasted their last victory over their rivals - it was a dramatic play-off game that saw Columbus make a late comeback to take the game to extra-time at 2-2, before a 115th minute Christian Ramirez ensured it would be his side advancing to the next round.

Cincinnati and Columbus Crew Recent Match Analysis

Cincinnati’s Last Five Games:

• Cincinnati 2-1 Chicago Fire (MLS)
• Orlando City 1-2 Cincinnati (MLS)
• CF Montreal 1-3 Cincinnati (MLS)
• New England Revolution 0-1 Cincinnati (MLS)
• Cincinnati 1-2 DC United (MLS)

Their home defeat to DC United at the start of June sparked a very useful run of three away wins on the bounce for Cincinnati, the second time this season they have achieved such a run.

In fact, their away form has played a large part in moving them to the summit of the table - they have scored three more points than any other Eastern section side on the road, while if the league was judged on home form, they would only place sixth.

However, with this game being hosted at their home ground, the TQL Stadium, they must discover how to regularly score points at home, especially when facing title rivals, a bracket which Columbus Crew fall under.

Columbus Crew’s Last Five Games:

• Seattle Sounders 1-1 Columbus Crew (MLS)
• Columbus Crew 1-0 Philadelphia Union (MLS)
• Columbus Crew 3-1 Atlanta United (MLS)
• Columbus Crew 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS)
• Inter Miami 5-1 Columbus Crew (MLS)

Virtually a mirror image of Cincinnati’s form, Columbus Crew instead embarked on a three match winning streak at home, picking up valuable wins of Philadelphia, Atlanta and Vancouver Whitecaps as they surged up the table throughout June.

However, their last two away games could spell trouble for this fixture - a thumping 5-1 defeat at the hands of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, followed by a draw to Seattle Sounders in their most recent outing will have certainly made their travelling morale fragile, something Cincinnati will look to exploit.

Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew Prediction

Our advanced algorithm analyzes over 200 data points to generate the prediction that the game between Cincinnati will see both sides score, and end 2-1 in Cincinnati's favour. The top of the table side may have shaky home form, but against a side that struggles on the road they will make sure they capitalize.

Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew Betting Tip

Football Park’s Best Bet: Both Team to Score - Both teams have netted in each of their last five matches, and with a variety of players chipping in, both present legitimate threat to each other. The goal can come from anywhere.

Key Players to Watch: Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew

Evander Ferrera (Cincinnati): The man in form for Cincinnati currently, Ferrera’s five goals in his last three games have earned Cincinnati valuable points to keep them top of the table. Notching 19 goals and assists in total so far this season, the Brazilian is one of the most dangerous players in the entire MLS right now.

Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew): The 24-year-old left back has been Columbus’ best player for the last two seasons now. Bombing up and down the left flank, opponents never know where and when he is going to join an attack. His ruthlessness once he does, which has seen him produce eight goals and 10 assists since the start of last season, will be made clear to the Cincinnati defence prior to kick-off.

Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew Match Facts

Broadcast Details

UK and Europe: Apple TV+

Stadium Details: Cincinnati’s home ground, the TQL Stadium, will play host to this game. Capable of hosting 26 '000 people, and opened for play just four years ago, it is a superb footballing ground, boasting modern, up to date facilities for players and fans.