New York Red Bulls vs Columbus Crew predictions
New York Red Bulls host Columbus Crew at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Wednesday, May 13, at 7:30 PM ET, as two mid-table MLS Eastern Conference sides look to build momentum in a congested standings picture.
The Red Bulls sit ninth in the East on 15 points from 12 games, while Columbus Crew are 12th on 12 points. Both clubs are on the fringes of the playoff race — a win for either would be a significant boost in the battle for the top nine in the MLS Eastern Conference standings.
The Red Bulls’ season has been a frustrating mixture of promise and error — a 3–1 win at Chicago last week suggested they are capable of quality performances, but they were on the wrong end of heavy defeats earlier in the campaign. Columbus, meanwhile, have shown they can win — back-to-back victories in April before running into a poor recent stretch against Minnesota and NYCFC.
New York Red Bulls vs Columbus Crew Prediction & Best Bets
| Our Prediction | Odds & Sportsbook | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Red Bulls to win | +180 @ bet365 (35.7%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | The Red Bulls’ home record has been patchy this season, but Sports Illustrated Stadium is always a difficult place for opponents to win. Columbus have lost their last two and arrive without the form advantage. NYRB’s pressing style suits home conditions, and their 3–1 win at Chicago showed they still carry a goal threat. |
| BTTS Yes | -225 @ bet365 (69.2%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Columbus have scored in seven of their last eight games, and the Red Bulls have been involved in high-scoring matches throughout the season. Their 4–4 draw at DC United earlier in the year and NYRB’s overall goals-per-game rate of 2.3 supports BTTS as a solid foundation bet. |
| Over 2.5 Goals | -210 @ bet365 (67.8%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | NYRB average 2.4 goals per home game in 2026 MLS. Columbus average 2.5 goals when playing away. The underlying data points clearly to a match that produces at least three goals across 90 minutes. |
| Correct Score: New York Red Bulls 2–1 | +1000 @ bet365 (9.1%) | ⭐⭐ | A home win by a one-goal margin fits the pattern of close Red Bulls home wins this season. Speculative addition only. |
Our approach: BTTS and Over 2.5 are the most reliable foundation given both teams’ scoring records. New York Red Bulls to win is the logical home-side play in a match where the pressure falls on Columbus to prove they have turned their form around.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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Prediction Markets: Live Odds & Win Probability
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Polymarket has this fixture listed, with the market favouring the home side given the Red Bulls’ advantage at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The probability range across result markets reflects the closeness of the two sides’ current form. Kalshi had not listed this fixture at time of writing; we will add their market data here if pricing surfaces before kick-off.
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Season Form & Standings
New York Red Bulls hold a three-point lead over Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference, but neither side is playing with the consistency of a genuine playoff contender. The Red Bulls’ record of 15 points from 12 games is creditable, built on moments of real quality when their press fires — but they remain prone to heavy defeats. Columbus’ season has been stop-start: wins against Galaxy and Philly in late April suggested a turnaround, only for defeats to Minnesota and at NYCFC to follow in quick succession.
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Red Bulls | 9th (East) | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 19 | 28 | -9 | 15 |
| Columbus Crew | 12th (East) | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 19 | -3 | 12 |
Potential Match-Winners
- Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls): The Swedish playmaker remains one of the most technically gifted midfielders in MLS. When Forsberg is involved and the Red Bulls’ press is working, they are capable of dominating possession in the middle third — his through-ball range and creativity in tight spaces give NYRB their best attacking platform.
- Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew): Wessam Abou Ali had made a great start to life in Columbus, but is now out for the season with an ACL injury. Diego Rossi has since shouldered the offensive burden, and the Uruguay international has done well so far, registering four goals and an assist in 12 appearances.
Head-to-Head
New York Red Bulls vs Columbus Crew is one of the MLS Eastern Conference’s classic rivalries. New York have historically held a slight edge at Sports Illustrated Stadium, where their press has given opponents difficulty for several seasons. Columbus have been the stronger side overall in recent years, winning the MLS Cup in 2023 and consistently competing for Eastern Conference honors since. Recent meetings have been competitive and close.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2025 | New York Red Bulls 1–2 Columbus Crew | MLS 2025 |
| May 24, 2025 | Columbus Crew 1–1 New York Red Bulls | MLS 2025 |
| Sep 14, 2024 | New York Red Bulls 2–2 Columbus Crew | MLS 2024 |
| Apr 20, 2024 | Columbus Crew 2–0 New York Red Bulls | MLS 2024 |
| Oct 21, 2023 | Columbus Crew 1–0 New York Red Bulls | MLS Cup Playoffs 2023 |
Recent Form
New York Red Bulls — W L L D L
- May 9, 2026: Chicago Fire FC 1–3 New York Red Bulls (win, away)
- May 3, 2026: New York Red Bulls 0–2 FC Dallas (loss, home)
- Apr 26, 2026: FC Cincinnati 2–0 New York Red Bulls (loss, away)
- Apr 23, 2026: New York Red Bulls 4–4 DC United (draw, home)
- Apr 18, 2026: CF Montréal 4–1 New York Red Bulls (loss, away)
The Red Bulls’ form is a series of extremes — a wild 4–4 home draw against DC United and a 3–1 win at Chicago show genuine quality; a 4–1 drubbing at Montréal and a 0–2 home loss to Dallas show the fragility. At home, their pressing style can overwhelm opponents; away from Sports Illustrated Stadium, they have been exposed. This home fixture is their best opportunity to build a run.
Columbus Crew — L L W W L
- May 10, 2026: New York City FC 3–0 Columbus Crew (loss, away)
- May 3, 2026: Columbus Crew 2–3 Minnesota United (loss, home)
- Apr 26, 2026: Columbus Crew 2–0 Philadelphia Union (win, home)
- Apr 23, 2026: Columbus Crew 2–1 LA Galaxy (win, home)
- Apr 19, 2026: New England Revolution 2–1 Columbus Crew (loss, away)
Back-to-back home wins in late April gave Columbus momentum that has since evaporated. A 2–3 home defeat to Minnesota was frustrating, but the 0–3 at NYCFC was a genuinely poor result — Columbus were second best from start to finish. They travel to New York needing a performance to justify any playoff ambition.
New York Red Bulls vs Columbus Crew Prediction
Home advantage tips this one toward the Red Bulls. Sports Illustrated Stadium is always a bear pit, and Columbus arrive in poor form following back-to-back defeats. Both sides score and concede with regularity, making BTTS and Over 2.5 the most reliable markets in the absence of specific bet365 pricing. The Red Bulls’ press at home should create enough opportunities to edge this one, though Diego Rossi’s individual quality means Columbus are never out of any game. See all upcoming MLS predictions on the hub.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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