- Columbus Crew (3 wins, 2 draws, 2 defeats) have won their last two.
- FC Cincinnati (2 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat) have also won their last two.
- FC Cincinnati have conceded 23 goals (2.88 per game) in eight away MLS 2026 games.
Dubious odds on a derby
The odds on Saturday's Ohio Derby don't appear to reflect the current form of either Columbus Crew (1.73) or FC Cincinnati (3.9) with the draw priced at 4.2.
Columbus sit 23rd in the MLS 2026 table with 16 points from 15 games while Cincinnati are 15th with 20 points from the same number of games, so this derby is tighter than the bookies suggest.
Cincinnati have failed to win in their last two away games against Columbus, winning 2-1 at home in the MLS Playoffs 2025, but this rivalry has been lively and decisive in the last three head-to-head games (Columbus 1 win, Cincinnati 2, no draws).
Cincinnati are on a run
Columbus have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five while Cincinnati have won their last two, but the visitors are on a good run, having won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five.
Their latest three games have featured a 3-3 draw away at San Diego FC in MLS 2026, a 6-2 home win over Orlando City SC in MLS 2026 and a 3-1 friendly win over Burnley.
Columbus have won their last two at home while Cincinnati have lost three of their eight away games in MLS 2026 this year, so there are grounds for believing that a home victory can be achieved.
Columbus look the sharpest
The Crew have won three, drawn two and lost only two of their seven MLS 2026 home games while conceding only six goals, so it would be a surprise if Cincinnati were able to take anything from this game.
Cincinnati have won only one of their eight away fixtures, so our play here is for a Columbus win, but with both sides on the up and a derby on the line, it should be close.
A smart angle to complement the home win is Over 2.5 goals at 1.38, which seems fair enough for a game that should feature plenty of heat, tempo changes and the proper derby bite.
Hell Is Real will bring the heat
Laurent Courtois' Crew, in charge since 17 May 2026, are now pressing higher up the pitch, rotating more compactly and attacking the box more directly than before.
Pat Noonan's side, who have been in charge since December 2021, are playing a more Dutch-leaning 4-3-3 with lots of possession, rapid ball circulation and recovery.
Evander Ferreira is Cincinnati's danger man with nine goals in 14 MLS 2026 games, while Diego Rossi leads the way for Columbus with six in 15. Max Arfsten has scored two of the Crew's six goals in their last five games, so both forwards could hit the target at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on Saturday.
