Cincinnati vs Columbus Prediction
The Ohio rivalry, or more commonly known as the “Hell Is Real” derby, will take place on Friday, July 9 at the new TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. Both teams are coming off a draw. FC Cincinnati extended their unbeaten streak to three games with a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo. The Crew hasn’t taken three points from a single match in their last three, drawing with the Revolution and Austin FC.
Neither of these teams has really proven themselves this season, but the Crew has the history. The defending champions have not shown the consistency and the grit that they had last year while FC Cincinnati wants to turn around their season that appeared dreary at first. This would be a great moment to do so. Keep reading and check out our Cincinnati vs Columbus prediction and don’t place any bets before reading this piece!
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Cincinnati’s Ways to Win
Stay compact in defense. FC Cincinnati, on paper, has a pretty solid defense. Geoff Cameron and Gustavo Vallecilla are solid choices up the middle of the field, and they finally seem to be getting their chemistry sorted out. They haven’t faced the toughest of competition in their recent games, so they cannot get ahead of themselves. Stay compact and be smart with the ball. This Crew team knows how to score and they get their whole team involved when they do. Staying compact and pushing them outside might allow them to change their goal-giving ways.
On attack, Cincinnati has an opportunity to take advantage of a Crew team that has not defended nearly as well as they did last year and doesn’t do nearly as well away from home.
Columbus’ Ways to Win
Pressure this defense. Cincinnati’s defense in the past few games has appeared great, but they have not faced any real attacks. FC Cincinnati has given up 18 goals so far this season and allows some of the most shots per 90 minutes out of every MLS team (14.5). Their defense will crumble, and their defense will make mistakes. Columbus needs to keep their attack high, constantly pressuring their build-up play and counter pressing ruthlessly every time they lose the ball.
On defense, Columbus has the chops to make this Cincinnati team struggle. Realistically, the Crew should not be giving up a goal to FC Cincinnati. Maybe being away is enough of an excuse, but they are a good enough team. Their form has just been missing from the equation. Stay composed, protect the guy next to you, force tough shots, and the Crew should be just fine.
Cincinnati vs Columbus Prediction
This is a moment for Cincinnati to prove they have what it takes to compete with some of the best teams. A moment to show that their wins don’t only come from bottom-table teams. Despite the Crew being the better team right now, with Cincinnati’s confidence and the Crew’s lack thereof, I think this incredibly tight matchup will go the way of the Orange and Blue. They are in their new stadium; they are coming off decent results. This is Cincinnati’s moment. As long as their defense sorts itself out and doesn’t let Gyazi Zardes and Lucas Zelarayan walk all over them, they could have a win on their hands.
Cincinnati vs Columbus Prediction Prediction: FC Cincinnati 2 Columbus Crew 1
