- Team form: Columbus are favored at 1.83, the Red Bulls 3.6, with the draw 4.0.
- Recent form: New York have failed to win in their last five, losing three and drawing two.
- Home record: Columbus have won five and lost two at home this season in all competitions, scoring 16 goals (2.29 per game).
Crew look the likeliest winners
Form and odds
Columbus Crew did hit back well from a 1-3 home defeat to New England Revolution by beating Colorado Rapids 3-0 at home last week. Laurent Courtois's men are the favorites for Saturday's game at 1.83 and that looks about right, although the Red Bulls, at 3.6, offer some potential value given their form.
Systems and tactics
After a brief spell with wingers and a central striker, Columbus have re-adopted the wingbacks and 3-4-3 or 5-2-3 shapes that won them the 2020 MLS Cup, although Columbus Crew are more adept at pressing high with the wingbacks at the moment. New York have a high-intensity, pressing first identity that is still in place since Ibrahim Sekagya replaced Gerhard Struber on 2 July 2022. His 4-2-3-1 is designed to swarm the central lanes and force turnovers, while Columbus will look to stretch the press with the width of the two wingbacks and then exploit the middle of the field when they can break the first wave of pressure.
NYRB will keep things competitive
The game should be a classic press versus width contest with the Crew more likely to win, but we cannot be too confident of Columbus to cover a line or win by more than a one-goal margin.
- Columbus have won five, drawn one and lost four of their last 10 in all competitions, while the Red Bulls have won only two, drawn three and lost five of the last ten.
- The match result markets are a touch off, but the goals bet lines don't look too far wrong with Over 2.5 at 1.4 and Both Teams to Score – Yes at 1.42 still available. BTTS – No still looks pretty good at 2.65 if you want to try to squeeze out a better return for a likely home win.
