FC Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Starting Lineups

FC Cincinnati host Columbus Crew at TQL Stadium on Sunday, October 18 (5:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM CT / 2:00 PM PT).

FC Cincinnati have no fresh fitness concerns to report for this one, with Steeve Kévin Denkey and Evander set to lead the home attack after combining for 29 goals between them this season. Columbus Crew also have their key men available, with Wessam Abou Ali and Taha Habroune the two most likely to carry the visitors’ threat on the road.

Both sides arrive with leaky defenses — Cincinnati’s minus-7 goal difference and Columbus’s minus-5 tell a similar story — and with ninth-placed FC Cincinnati still connected to the Eastern Conference playoff picture and 13th-placed Columbus Crew chasing points of their own, neither side can afford to sit back. Denkey’s movement and Evander’s chance creation should give the hosts the edge in front of their own fans, and Signal’s model has this one finishing 2-1 to FC Cincinnati with goals at both ends.

US viewers can watch FC Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.

Season Form & Standings

FC Cincinnati sit ninth in the Eastern Conference with 36 points from 27 games, still in the thick of the playoff picture, while Columbus Crew sit 13th on 29 points from 28 games, needing results to keep their own playoff push alive.

Eastern Conference

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Potential Match-Winners

• Steeve Kévin Denkey (FC Cincinnati): The forward has scored 16 goals from 66 shots this season, with 31 of those shots on target, making him the home side’s primary scoring threat.
• Evander (FC Cincinnati): The midfielder has racked up 75 chances created to go with 13 goals in 1,963 minutes, giving Cincinnati’s attack its creative spark.
• Wessam Abou Ali (Columbus Crew): The striker has 5 goals in just 567 minutes for Columbus, giving the visitors a direct focal point up top.

Recent Form

FC Cincinnati: L D D L W

• 2026-10-11: Atlanta United 1-3 FC Cincinnati (W, away)
• 2026-09-27: CF Montreal 3-1 FC Cincinnati (L, away)
• 2026-09-20: Houston Dynamo 2-2 FC Cincinnati (D, away)
• 2026-09-13: FC Cincinnati 3-3 Charlotte FC (D, home)
• 2026-09-10: Philadelphia Union 5-0 FC Cincinnati (L, away)

FC Cincinnati’s form reads L-D-D-L-W, finishing on a high with a 3-1 win away at Atlanta United last time out.

Columbus Crew: L L W W L

• 2026-10-11: Orlando City 3-2 Columbus Crew (L, away)
• 2026-09-28: Columbus Crew 2-1 Inter Miami (W, home)
• 2026-09-20: CF Montreal 0-2 Columbus Crew (W, away)
• 2026-09-13: Columbus Crew 0-1 New York Red Bulls (L, home)
• 2026-09-10: DC United 2-1 Columbus Crew (L, away)

Columbus Crew’s form reads L-L-W-W-L, with a 3-2 defeat at Orlando City in their most recent outing.

FC Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew Prediction

FC Cincinnati sit ninth in the East with 36 points and remain in the thick of the playoff picture, while Columbus Crew’s 29 points from 13th leave them needing results just to stay in touch. At TQL Stadium, Denkey and Evander should have enough in the final third to see off a Columbus side that have lost 15 of their 28 games this season, and Signal’s model backs the hosts to win 2-1.