- Charlotte have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 5 matches.
- Columbus Crew have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 5 contests.
In-form hosts can edge out the Crew
Charlotte and Columbus Crew are in different form coming into this MLS 2026 clash, but the hosts are just the more likely to come out on top in what could be a cagey clash.
These sides have each won 3 and lost 1 of their last 5, but Charlotte have done it with 1 draw in between while Columbus Crew's solitary draw preceded their two recent wins of that run. The Crew played out a 2-2 draw at Inter Miami in their most recent MLS game, while Charlotte have won their last 2 games at home in the Leagues Cup against Pumas UNAM and Atlas.
The head-to-head record is split at one win apiece through the last 2 MLS campaigns, so it's difficult to say that one side is much more likely to win than the other. Charlotte are the slight favourites at 61/50 ahead of Columbus Crew at 19/10, but the draw at 53/20 is also a little long, so we have to take the hosts in what looks their most likely result at this stage.
Gazdag and Pep Biel can make the difference
While Columbus Crew's Daniel Gazdag has added 3 goals to his season tally, the 29-year-old attacking midfielder can't match the end-product that Charlotte's Pep Biel produces.
The Catalonian has 9 MLS 2026 goals in 18 appearances and the Crown are a different team when he is at his best, which can be enough to turn close games like this into wins. Columbus Crew have a decent penalty-box presence in Diego Rossi, who has 6 goals in 15 MLS 2026 appearances, but they still need more quality in the final third.
Dean Smith has got Charlotte playing a flexible 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 system where the fullbacks overlap, the midfielders press and the front players can play either wide or central in a 4-3-3. Laurent Courtois has tried to steady the ship for Columbus Crew, who have been too tactically volatile for their own good in 2026.
Home advantage to decide close game
Courtois has switched between back-three systems and compact, pressing units, but the one constant is that Columbus Crew will push wide with their wingbacks and try to lock the ball in wide areas.
This will be a game of possession and transition, but the second-ball battle in the middle of the pitch may also go a long way to deciding how open it is. Charlotte have won 5, drawn 3 and lost 2 at home in MLS 2026, conceding only 1.10 goals per game, so their home stadium has been a solid base.
Both teams to score at 11/20 is liveable, but under 2.5 goals at 6/5 looks a smart alternative if this turns into a cagey game as it may well do. We'll go with the in-form home side to just edge it out.
