Real Salt Lake and FC Cincinnati will be aiming to continue their impressive run of results when they face off at the Rio Tinto Stadium on Sunday. Our Real Salt Lake vs FC Cincinnati prediction gives an insight into what to expect from both teams in Utah this weekend.
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Real Salt Lake vs FC Cincinnati prediction: Salt Lake to make home advantage count
Key stats
- Our Real Salt Lake vs FC Cincinnati betting tips recognise the fact that both Salt Lake and Cincinnati have developed a penchant for flying out of the blocks lately.
- The hosts have opened the scoring in each of their last five matches, while the away side will be aiming to break the deadlock for a seventh straight game this weekend..
- Games involving Cincinnati have been a guaranteed source of entertainment, with each of the last five yielding at least three goals.
- However, the reverse is the case for Salt Lake, as only one of their most recent seven involvements has produced more than two goals.
Correct score prediction: Real Salt Lake 2-1 FC Cincinnati
Given the form of the teams heading into this one, both will be confident of claiming all three points, and that should make for a keenly contested affair.
That said, we are tipping Real Salt Lake to pip their visitors to all three points when all is said and done.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Salt Lake fancied to shade narrow clash
- HOME: 23/20 (2.15) – 46.5%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 9/5 (2.80) – 35.7%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
A 46.5% win probability suggests Real Salt Lake are favourites to come out on top, although Sunday's game is expected to be far from straightforward.
Pablo Mastroeni's men made it three wins on the bounce by beating Portland Timbers 1-0 in Thursday's encounter at Providence Park.
With the game level heading into its final knockings, Diogo Goncalves struck in the 83rd minute to hand Salt Lake maximum points.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, recorded their most impressive result of the campaign last time out by emphatically thrashing Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 3-0 on Thursday.
Evander was the star of the show for Pat Noonan's men as he netted a second-half double to seal the deal after Gerardo Valenzuela had given his side the lead 15 minutes in.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: All-square after two encounters
Our Real Salt Lake vs FC Cincinnati prediction reveals that Sunday's game will be only a third meeting between the sides. Real Salt ran out 3-0 n the first edition of this fixture back in 2019, three years before Cincinnati claimed a 2-1 triumph in the sophomore meeting.
USA MLS 18/09/22
Real Salt Lake
FC Cincinnati
USA MLS 20/04/19
FC Cincinnati
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake preview: Matthew Bell still awaiting full debut
Matthew Bell has spent the last nine months on the sidelines as he continues to battle a muscle problem. Since returning to Salt Lake after a loan spell at Tulsa, the Jamaican is yet to feature for his side.
Javain Brown and Tyler Wolff are also unavailable for the home side due to knee problems, while Zac MacMath is ruled out with a back issue.
Predicted lineup: Cabral (GK), Junqua, Ramirez, Glad, Hidalgo, Ruiz, Caliskan, Luna, Gozo, Goncalves & Agada
USA MLS 11/05/25
D
FC Dallas
1
Real Salt Lake
1
USA MLS 04/05/25
L
Vancouver Whitecaps
2
Real Salt Lake
1
USA MLS 26/04/25
W
San Diego FC
1
Real Salt Lake
3
USA MLS 20/04/25
L
Toronto FC
1
Real Salt Lake
0
USA MLS 13/04/25
L
Nashville SC
2
Real Salt Lake
1
Cincinnati preview: DeAndre Yedlin a major doubt
On an otherwise perfect night for Cincinnati against Inter Miami, DeAndre Yedlin's injury in the 85th minute was the only source of disappointment.
The 32-year-old is a doubt to play any part on Sunday for the away side, who are already without the services of Kevin Denkey, Yuya Kubo and Obinna Nwobodo.
Predicted lineup: Celentano (GK), Miazga, Engel, Robinson, Orellano, Evander, Anunga, Bucha, Powell, Kamara & Valenzuela
USA MLS 10/05/25
W
Austin FC
1
FC Cincinnati
2
USA MLS 04/05/25
L
New York City FC
1
FC Cincinnati
0
USA MLS 26/04/25
W
Sporting Kansas City
1
FC Cincinnati
2
USA MLS 20/04/25
W
Chicago Fire
2
FC Cincinnati
3
USA MLS 12/04/25
W
DC United
0
FC Cincinnati
1
Player to watch – Evander
After a stellar 2024 season in which Evander recorded 15 goals and 19 assists, there were doubts over whether the Brazilian could replicate that this year, and he has more than silenced those doubts.
Evander has already matched his goal tally from the last campaign in eight fewer games and will be aiming to extend his scoring streak to six games on Sunday.
Evander continues to be the main man for Cincinnati
Evander led his side to a third-place finish during the regular season last time out before they were knocked out in the playoffs by New York City FC.
The 27-year-old's performances this term have been key to his side sitting second in the Western Conference, and he is one to keep an eye on this weekend.