New York City FC vs Columbus Crew Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: August 10, 2025 | Citi Field | MLS | 00:30 BST

We are back to MLS action after a short break for some sides competing in the Leagues Cup. We enter the last section of the season, with only 10 or so games left to play. The New York outfit head into this fixture off the back of a relatively weak showing in the Leagues Cup campaign, winning just one game. Meanwhile, the side from Ohio ended unbeaten and still have a chance to finish in the top 4 of the competition.

Key Betting Tip: Over 2.5 Goals at 1.52 odds represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our team of in-house tipsters.

NYCFC vs Columbus Crew Predicted Lineups

NYCFC Predicted XI: Matthew Freese; Kevin O’Toole, Justin Haak, Strahinja Tanasijević, Mitja Ilenić; Andrés Perea, Aiden O’Neill; Agustin Ojeda, Maxi Moralez (c), Nicolás Fernández; Alonso Martínez.

Columbus Crew Predicted XI: Patrick Schulte; Malte Amundsen, Sean Zawadzki, Steven Moreira; Maximilian Arfsten, Darlington Nagbe (c), Dylan Chambost, Marcelo Herrera; Dániel Gazdag, Taha Habroune, Diego Rossi.

Pascal Jensen’s side could be without Tayvon Gray, who came off injured in their last League Cup fture. He may make way for Ilenić.

As for the Crew, they could remain unchanged from their victory over León.

NYCFC vs Columbus Crew Current League Standings

New York City are currently roaming on the outskirts of the top 10, something they will definitely be aiming for come October. They have tallied an encouraging 38 points from their 24 matches thus far, winning 11, losing eight and drawing five. If they manage a victory on Sunday, it will almost certainly propel them into that top 10.

Top 14 is of course the main in order to cement your place in the playoffs of the MLS, and that is exactly what Columbus have done so far. Led by Wilfried Nancy, he has managed his team into an excellent seventh place in the league after 25 games. Another win on Sunday could easily see them leap other rivals into as high as third. This is due to their impressive 12 wins, eight draws and only five losses that sees them in a commanding position at this stage in the season.

NYCFC vs Columbus Crew Head-to-Head Timeline

With New York only being founded in 2013, these sides have only taken to the field on 27 occasions, with the Crew having the slight edge with 12 wins to eight. There is no doubt this fixture does flip to each side of the coin in periods, and currently it is with Columbus Crew, who have won three of the last four affairs between the sides.

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

• March 22, 2025: Columbus 0-0 NYCFC (MLS)
• September 1, 2024: Columbus 4-2 NYCFC (MLS)
• August 17, 2024: Columbus p1-1 NYCFC (Leagues Cup)
• June 15, 2024: NYCFC 2-3 Columbus (MLS)
• July 9, 2023: Columbus 1-1 NYCFC (MLS)

Despite some thrilling encounters in the past few meetings, such as the Leagues Cup quarterfinal last year heading to penalties, or their meeting in September ending 4-2, the most recent match was in March, ending scoreless, however, New York were et off the hook, as they had just five attempts on net compared to 24 from Columbus.

Recent NYCFC and Columbus Crew Matches Analysis

NYCFC Last 5 Matches:

• NYCFC 1-2 Toluca (A) – Leagues Cup
• NYCFC 2-0 León (H) – Leagues Cup
• NYCFC 0-3 Puebla (H) – Leagues Cup
• NYCFC 4-3 Dallas (A) – MLS
• NYCFC 1-1 Kansas City (A) – MLS

Despite their poor results in the Leagues Cup this New York City side do not struggle to find the target. Eight goals in the past five games and they have only failed to score once in their last six games, making only one clean sheet in the meantime, however.

Columbus Last 5 Matches:

• Columbus 1-0 León (H) – Leagues Cup
• Columbus 3-1 Puebla (H) – Leagues Cup
• Columbus 2-2p Toluca (A) – Leagues Cup
• Columbus 1-3 Orlando (H) – MLS
• Columbus 2-1 DC United (H) – MLS

Columbus Crew performed much better than New York in the Leagues Cup despite playing the same opponents. Like New York, the Crew have no issue finding the net, scoring in each of their last five games. Defensively, however, their clean slate versus León was their first for seven matches.

NYCFC vs Columbus Crew Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with confidence in a Over 2.5 Goals scored victory. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups. The recent defensive issues for both sides suggest that we could be in store for a goal fest on the return to the league season.

Best NYCFC vs Columbus Crew Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.52 - Our team of in-house betting tipsters have predicted a minimum of three goals scored in this fixture. Recent head-to-head and form suggest confidence in a Over 2.5 Goals victory.

Key Players to Watch: NYCFC vs Columbus Crew

Agustin Ojeda (NYCFC): The 21-year-old midfielder found fine form during the Leagues Cup. The Argentine started all three matches, finding one goal and an assist. His relentless work rate allows him to help out the defence, as he recovered over 7 balls per game. After a stop-start league campaign, he will hope to carry this new form found into the rest of the season.

Maximilian Arfsten (Columbus Crew): The 24-year-old played a crucial role for the national team in the Gold Cup last month and has been flying since. He played almost every minute of their Leagues Cup campaign, finding the net twice. But defensively was where he shone the brightest. 5 ball recoveries, 3.3 tackles per match, and 2 clearances made him vital to results at both ends of the pitch.

NYCFC vs Columbus Crew Match Facts

Referee: Sergiy Boyko (UKR). The experienced referee has officiated some of the biggest matches internationally. He has taken charge of games through UEFA European competitions, and also U21 Euros, World Cup qualifying, and the UEFA Nations League. The Ukrainian has handed out an average of 4.3 yellow cards per match in his 54-game career officiating in the MLS.

Broadcast Details:

UK/US: Apple TV at 00:30 BST.

Stadium Information: NYCFC share two stadiums with both the Mets, and the Yankees. In this fixture they will be playing in the Mets’ venue, Citi Field, which is located near Flushing Meadows, in Queens. The capacity of the venue rises just above 41,000 so is sure to bring an exciting atmosphere.

NYCFC vs Columbus Crew: Final Prediction

NYCFC 1-3 Columbus Crew