Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati prediction: expert analysis, possible lineups, July 26, 2026
MLS USA
In the MLS regular season on July 26, 2026, Columbus Crew will face Cincinnati. Both teams need to improve to increase their chances of making the playoffs.
Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati: Team News and Expert Analysis
The Ohio club finished the 2025 season with 54 points, placing seventh based on tiebreakers. However, they then lost to Cincinnati in the first round of the playoffs. Now, they are losing nearly half of their matches. This summer, they also lost 1-2 to New York City, whom they had previously beaten in the U.S. Open Cup.
The team from the state capital finished second in the East. After overcoming their neighbor in the playoffs, they were then heavily defeated 0-4 by the future champions, Inter Miami. Currently, there’s a risk of missing out on the knockout games. This made the victory over Vancouver in a high-scoring match especially important.
The home side averages 1.38 goals scored and concedes 1.56 per match. Their fellow Ohioans deliver a much more spectacular brand of football: as many as 2.5 goals both scored and conceded per game on average.
Previous Matches: Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati
In their last four encounters, the clubs alternated wins against each other.
The expectation is for a home win in an entertaining game. However, the high score is in doubt—so we take “total under 3.5 goals” (odds – 1.82).
Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati: Key Stats and Trends
- Columbus Crew has won twice in their last three matches
- 69% of Columbus Crew’s matches end with goals from both teams, and the average total goals per match is 2.94
- Cincinnati has won two of their last five matches
- 75% of Cincinnati’s matches end with goals from both teams, and the average total goals per match is 5.0
Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati: Probable Starting Lineups
Columbus Crew is expected to play in a 1-3-4-1-2 formation (possible lineup): Schulte – Camacho, Moreira, Zawadzki – Arfsten, Andre Gomes, Bangura, Farsi – Habrun – Rossi, Gazdag
Cincinnati is expected to use a 1-3-4-2-1 formation (possible lineup): Celentano – Smith, Miazga, Gidi – Ramirez Leon, Nwobodo, Valenzuela, Buha – Evander, Mbomba Dem – Denkey
Place your bets on the upcoming match and follow your team’s position in the MLS regular season standings
