FC Cincinnati host NYCFC at TQL Stadium on Wednesday, August 19 (7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT).
FC Cincinnati have no fresh fitness concerns to report ahead of Wednesday’s game, which should keep Thomas Barlow leading the line after his 6 goals this season, with Pavel Bucha (15 chances created) and Kenji Mboma Dem (4 goals from 24 shots) expected to fill out the attacking picture. NYCFC arrive with a similarly settled squad, Axel Ojeda (5 goals, 21 chances created) and Hannes Wolf (5 goals, 24 shots) the pair most likely to lead the visitors’ attack.
Both sides arrive with the Eastern Conference playoff picture squarely in mind, Cincinnati sitting sixth and NYCFC seventh, and neither has looked like a side that plays for a draw. Cincinnati’s front line has already produced wins by scorelines of 4-2 and 4-3 this season, while NYCFC banked a 3-1 win over Chicago Fire and a 2-1 win away at Columbus Crew. Expect a similar pattern at TQL Stadium — chances at both ends, and Cincinnati’s home advantage enough to get them over the line 2-1.
FC Cincinnati vs NYCFC: Best Bets & Predictions
FC Cincinnati host NYCFC in a game that could shape the tail end of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Our approach: we weigh conference standings, recent scorelines and the season's top individual output — goals, shots and chances created — to land on a Result, Correct Score, Both Teams to Score and Over/Under pick for every fixture.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).
Season Form & Standings
FC Cincinnati sit sixth in the Eastern Conference with 27 points from 19 games and a +1 goal difference, while NYCFC sit seventh in the same table — both clubs firmly in the thick of the playoff picture as the regular season runs down.
Eastern Conference
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC Cincinnati | 6 | 19 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 46 | 45 | +1 | 27 |
FC Cincinnati vs NYCFC Confirmed Starting Lineups
FC Cincinnati
3-5-2NYCFC
4-3-3Potential Match-Winners
- Thomas Barlow (FC Cincinnati): Leads the team with 6 goals in 703 minutes, an eye-catching return paired with 11 shots on target from 15 attempts.
- Pavel Bucha (FC Cincinnati): The creative engine behind Cincinnati’s attack, chipping in 5 goals of his own to go with a team-high 15 chances created.
- Axel Ojeda (NYCFC): NYCFC’s most involved attacker, with 5 goals and 21 chances created in 1445 minutes this season.
Recent Form
FC Cincinnati: W W L W D
- 2026-08-16: Orlando City 1-1 FC Cincinnati (D, away)
- 2026-08-02: FC Cincinnati 4-2 San Jose Earthquakes (W, home)
- 2026-07-26: Columbus Crew 2-1 FC Cincinnati (L, away)
- 2026-07-23: FC Cincinnati 4-3 Vancouver Whitecaps (W, home)
- 2026-05-24: FC Cincinnati 6-2 Orlando City (W, home)
Cincinnati’s last five results read W-W-L-W-D. That sequence contained a 6-2 win over Orlando City, a 4-3 win over Vancouver Whitecaps, a 2-1 loss at Columbus Crew, a 4-2 win over San Jose Earthquakes and a 1-1 draw away at Orlando City most recently.
NYCFC: D L W W D
- 2026-08-01: NYCFC 1-1 Toronto FC (D, home)
- 2026-07-26: NYCFC 3-1 Chicago Fire (W, home)
- 2026-07-23: Columbus Crew 1-2 NYCFC (W, away)
- 2026-05-24: Nashville SC 2-1 NYCFC (L, away)
- 2026-05-17: New York Red Bulls 1-1 NYCFC (D, away)
NYCFC’s last five results read D-L-W-W-D. That included a 1-1 draw at New York Red Bulls, a 2-1 loss away at Nashville SC, a 2-1 win at Columbus Crew, a 3-1 win over Chicago Fire and a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC most recently.
FC Cincinnati vs NYCFC Prediction
FC Cincinnati’s status as sixth in the Eastern Conference with 27 points and a +1 goal difference gives them a narrow edge over a NYCFC side sitting seventh in the same table, and that edge should be enough at TQL Stadium. Thomas Barlow’s 6 goals and Pavel Bucha’s 15 chances created have carried the home attack, while NYCFC’s Axel Ojeda and Hannes Wolf offer more than enough threat to get on the scoresheet themselves. Our Signal model backs FC Cincinnati to edge it 2-1, with goals at both ends fitting the pattern both sides have shown this season.