FC Cincinnati vs NYCFC: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Lineups

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 speak of heading into this one, with Thomas Barlow pushing for another goal after six already this season and Pavel Bucha again expected to pull the strings from midfield off the back of 15 chances created. NYCFC travel with a similarly clean bill of health, Axel Ojeda and Hannes Wolf both in line to lead the line after 5 goals apiece, with Keaton Parks offering support from midfield off 2 goals of his own this season.

FC Cincinnati sit sixth in the East on 26 points from 18 games, NYCFC 1 place above them in fifth, and both sides know a result here matters for their playoff positioning down the stretch. Cincinnati’s D W W L W form shows a team capable of scoring goals in bunches but not immune to a bad night, while NYCFC’s D L W W D reads similarly streaky. With both attacks finding the net regularly this season, TQL Stadium should see goals at both ends, and a narrow home win looks the most likely outcome.

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

FC Cincinnati vs NYCFC: Best Bets & Predictions

FC Cincinnati host a NYCFC side just 1 place above them in the East, both firmly inside the playoff picture.

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FC CincinnatiTop pickFC Cincinnati sit in sixth place in the East on 26 points from 18 games, and beat San Jose 4-2 at home last time out — form that favors them at TQL Stadium.

51%win prob.101 @ bet365

2-1 FC CincinnatiFC Cincinnati's attack has produced plenty at TQL Stadium (4-2 over San Jose, 4-3 over Vancouver) while NYCFC's Axel Ojeda and Hannes Wolf have 5 goals each, pointing to a tight scoreline with goals for both sides rather than a Cincinnati blowout.

11%chance850 @ bet365

YesThomas Barlow's 6 goals lead Cincinnati and Axel Ojeda and Hannes Wolf have 5 apiece for NYCFC, so goals at both ends look likely.

72%chance-250 @ bet365

Over 2.5FC Cincinnati's last 2 home games have produced 6 and 7 goals between the sides (4-2 vs San Jose, 4-3 vs Vancouver), and NYCFC's own attack, with Ojeda and Wolf good for 5 goals apiece, points toward the over.

75%chance-225 @ bet365

Thomas Barlow to scoreThomas Barlow leads FC Cincinnati with 6 goals from 15 shots, including 11 on target, making him the obvious pick to find the net.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐chanceopening soon @ bet365

Our approach: we lean on Signal's model output for the four core picks, then back each one with the underlying stats — goals, shots and chances created — rather than gut feel.

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Season Form & Standings

FC Cincinnati sit in sixth place in the East on 26 points from 18 games with a +1 goal difference, while NYCFC are just 1 spot above them in fifth — both clubs firmly in the playoff picture as the regular season heads into its closing stretch.

Eastern Conference

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Potential Match-Winners

• Thomas Barlow (FC Cincinnati): Barlow leads FC Cincinnati with 6 goals and has 11 of his 15 shots on target, arguably the most clinical forward on the field.
• Pavel Bucha (FC Cincinnati): Bucha has 4 goals of his own, but it’s his 15 chances created that mark him out as Cincinnati’s chief creator.
• Axel Ojeda (NYCFC): Ojeda has 5 goals and a team-high 21 chances created for NYCFC, a threat at both ends of the pitch.

Recent Form

FC Cincinnati: D W W L W

• 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)
• 2026-05-17: San Diego FC 3-3 FC Cincinnati (D, away)

FC Cincinnati’s last 5 results read D W W L W, including a 4-2 win over San Jose Earthquakes and a 4-3 win over Vancouver Whitecaps, sandwiched around a 2-1 loss at Columbus Crew.

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 5 results read D L W W D, with a 3-1 win over Chicago Fire and a 2-1 win at Columbus Crew either side of a 2-1 loss at Nashville SC, before back-to-back draws with Toronto FC and New York Red Bulls.

FC Cincinnati vs NYCFC Prediction

Signal’s model has this finishing 2-1 to FC Cincinnati. FC Cincinnati sit sixth in the East on 26 points, NYCFC 1 place above in fifth, and neither side’s recent form (D W W L W vs D L W W D) suggests a runaway winner. Expect goals at both ends given Thomas Barlow’s 6 goals, Axel Ojeda’s 5 and Hannes Wolf’s 5, but home advantage at TQL Stadium nudges a narrow FC Cincinnati win, 2-1.