Columbus Crew will welcome FC Cincinnati to Lower.com Field on Sunday in Major League Soccer, aiming to return to winning ways and potentially reclaim top spot in the Eastern Conference.
After back-to-back draws, the hosts slipped from the summit, but with home advantage and a solid unbeaten run, they will look to stop the visitors' recent surge.
Match preview
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Columbus enter this encounter having lost only once in 13 MLS outings this season, although they have found it difficult to turn strong performances into victories in recent weeks.
The Crew are currently on a four-match unbeaten run, but back-to-back draws against Philadelphia Union (2-2) and CF Montreal (1-1) have slowed their momentum, and both of those results saw Wilfried Nancy's side come from behind, a trend that may prove problematic if it continues.
Despite that, Columbus are enjoying their best start to a campaign since their 2020 title-winning season, with 26 points from 13 matches, they remain firmly in the hunt at third place, but they must begin turning draws into wins to maintain their position.
However, the Crew have also failed to win any of their last three meetings with Cincinnati in regular time, adding further pressure heading into this fixture.
In addition, their only defeat this season came at home, a 1-0 loss to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, and they will be eager to avoid a similar result against another top rival.
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FC Cincinnati, on the other hand, come into this clash in fine form with a 2-1 win over Austin FC and a 1-0 success against Toronto FC in their last two matches, recovering well from the 1-0 setback against New York City.
Impressively, each of their last seven league wins has been by a single-goal margin, underlining their ability to manage tight contests.
With nine wins and just one draw from 13 games, Cincinnati have climbed to the summit of the Eastern Conference, two points clear of their nearest challengers.
However, all three of their defeats this season have come away from home, and they have rarely enjoyed their trips to Columbus, winning only once in six visits.
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Team News
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Columbus will remain without Andres Herrera and Rudy Camacho, both of whom have been sidelined since against Philly as they were both suffering from thigh issues.
Jacen Russell-Rowe scored his fifth league goal of the campaign to restore parity against Montreal, while top scorer Diego Rossi will hope to return to the starting lineup after failing to see minutes last time out.
Cincinnati's Matt Miazga is suffering from a leg injury, which will leave him questionable for this encounter.
Argentine winger Luca Orellano is also questionable due to a leg injury after missing the win over Toronto.
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Zawadzki, Cheberko; Farsi, Chambost, Nagbe, Arfsten; Russell-Rowe; Gazdag, Rossi
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Flores, Robinson, Hadebe; Smith, Bucha, Anunga, Yedlin; Evander; Denkey, Valenzuela
We say: Columbus Crew 1-1 FC Cincinnati
While Columbus have struggled to turn performances into wins, they remain a difficult side to beat, and Cincinnati, despite their impressive position, have not shown the ruthlessness required to put teams away comfortably, which could prove costly against a resilient home side, making a draw the most likely outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
