- Home form: Charlotte are unbeaten in three home matches (W2, D1).
- Away form: Columbus have won just one of nine away matches in MLS 2026.
- Head-to-head: Columbus have failed to win on their last two trips to face Charlotte, losing 3-2 here in MLS 2025.
Crew are a solid side, but can’t get ahead
The head-to-head record between these two clubs is level at one win apiece after two meetings, but Columbus Crew have failed to win their last two visits to North Carolina so Charlotte are the most likely winner when these two meet again in Saturday's MLS contest. Charlotte have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five and go into this weekend on the back of back-to-back home wins against Pumas UNAM and Atlas in the Leagues Cup.
Columbus Crew arrive in similar form, having also won three, drawn one and lost just one of their last five – with a 2-2 MLS draw at Inter Miami preceding their own back-to-back Leagues Cup wins over Atlas and Pachuca.
But the hosts have the better table position of these 14th (25pts from 18 games) and 24th (20pts from 18) placed teams, which is why we're just about coming in on the side of Charlotte for this clash.
Columbus have been tactically shrewd but not consistent enough
Tactical approaches
Laurent Courtois has tried to steady a Columbus side in Ohio during a period in which the Crew have been somewhat tactically volatile in 2026, but Columbus have been more prone to playing with wingbacks, while Charlotte deploy a flexible 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 hybrid. Dean Smith's team use a narrow build-up and overlapping fullbacks to play through the middle and press intensely to pin the opposition in their own half.
Key players and travel form
Pep Biel, with nine goals in 18 MLS 2026 appearances, is their spark and they may just edge this because of the end-product that the man has. Columbus Crew have the best penalty-box predator in MLS 2026 with Diego Rossi bagging six in 15 games, but have a disappointing away record in the league with five defeats in nine (1-3-5). Columbus have scored 1.56 goals per game on their travels, but it hasn't translated to controlling away games, so Charlotte have the edge.
Smith’s side have been in a groove at home
Charlotte have won five, drawn three and lost two of their ten home matches in MLS 2026, conceding just 1.10 goals per game. So, Bank of America Stadium has been a good base for Smith's men and another home win could be on the way.
We're just going to side with the home side and take Charlotte to edge it, as this is their game to lose if they can avoid a negative reaction from Columbus.
- Charlotte are favored at 2.22, with Columbus Crew priced at 2.9 and the draw at 3.65.
- Both teams to score at 1.55 looks live, but under 2.5 goals at 2.2 is a strong alternative if the game gets tight.
