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New York City FC will resume their MLS campaign with a trip to Lower.com Field for their encounter with Columbus Crew on Thursday.
The visitors have struggled to find their best form in recent months and will hope to avoid a third consecutive defeat.
Columbus Crew, on the other hand, will look to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to give games.
Read our Columbus Crew vs New York City prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Columbus Crew vs New York City key stats
- Columbus Crew have not lost a home game against New York City since April 2017.
- Four of the last five league encounters between these sides went above the 2.5-goal threshold.
- New York City have no wins in their last three games.
Columbus Crew vs New York City preview: NYC’s struggles to continue?
Columbus Crew vs New York City — MLS Tale of the Tape
| Columbus Crew | vs | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| 23rd | Position | 17th |
| 16 | Points | 19 |
| 21 | Goals For | 25 |
| 23 | Goals Against | 21 |
| 3 | Clean Sheets | 3 |
| 17th | Home / Away Rank | 13th |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Columbus Crew halted their winless streak in the MLS with a 2-0 victory over Atlanta United just before the World Cup-enforcrd break. The hosts have not particularly had an impressive campaign, having won only four of their 15 league games this season.
Across all competitions, however, Laurent Courtois’ men are unbeaten in four consecutive matches. This includes a 1-1 friendly draw with Burnley just over a week ago, as well as a 1-0 victory over Thursday's opponents, New York City, in the U.S Open Cup.
Interestingly, Columbus Crew are unbeaten in their last 12 home encounters against New York City (W9, D3). They have never lost a home game against their visitors since making the switch from the Mapfre Stadium to Lower.com Field in 2021.
Wessam Abou Ali is the only injury concern for Columbus Crew ahead of this encounter, with the Palestine international expected to miss the rest of the season due to his cruciate ligament injury. Additionally, Rudy Camacho received a milestone booking against Atlanta just before the break and is suspended for accumulated yellow cards.
On the other hand, New York City are coming off back-to-back defeats and are without a win in three consecutive matches.
Despite their recent run of results, it is worth mentioning that Pascal Jansen's troops have earned three more points than their hosts and are just a point behind the Eastern Conference playoff places.
This will be the third encounter between these sides in just over two months, as New York City cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Columbus Crew in the reverse fixture in May before succumbing to a disappointing 1-0 defeat in the US Open Cup 11 days later.
Alonso Martinez and Andrew Baiera remain sidelined for the visitors, with both players still recovering from long-term cruciate ligament injuries. New York City could also be without Keaton Parks (groin) and Talles Magno (calf) for this clash, as both players remain doubtful due to fitness issues.
Columbus Crew vs New York City form guide & betting tips
| Columbus Crew | vs | New York City |
|---|---|---|
L
L
L
D
W
|
Form |
L
W
W
D
L
|
| 4 | Points | 7 |
| 13th | Form Table | 7th |
| 7 | Goals For | 6 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 5 |
L
D
L
L
D
|
Form (All Comps) |
W
W
D
L
L
|
Whispers Predicts: Columbus Crew 2-1 New York City
At 21/20 (2.05), Columbus Crew are considered favourites by the bookies.
Keeping in mind that New York City have lost back-to-back away games, coupled with their struggles on the road against Columbus Crew over the last decade, we are confident that the hosts will claim all the spoils after 90 minutes.
Moreover, six of the last eight league clashes between these outfits produced goals at both ends, and this can be backed at 4/6 (1.67).
We also fancy over 2.5 total goals at 3/4 (1.75). The last five H2Hs in this competition produced almost four goals on average, with three of those going north of the 4.5-goal marker.
> Over 2.5 total goals at 3/4 (1.75) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 4/6 (1.67) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Columbus Crew at 21/20 (2.05) | Likelihood: Probable
> Columbus Crew & BTTS – Yes at 27/10 (3.70) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 2-1 at 77/10 (8.70) | Likelihood: Outsider