Verdict: Columbus Crew win
Best Odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to make it back-to-back MLS victories in the early hours of Sunday, Columbus will welcome New England to Ohio.
Columbus Crew
Starting with the hosts, making a welcomed return to winning ways last weekend, Columbus are now within striking distance of officially wrapping up a silver medal finish in the Eastern Conference. Eventually claiming what was a thrilling 3-2 victory at home against Philadelphia, Wilfried Nancy’s men will be looking to lay down another marker here. Despite suffering Leagues Cup final heartbreak on September 26th as they fell to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Mexican heavyweights Club America, the former Montreal boss has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits this season. In fact, Columbus have lost just a pair of their previous 16 consecutive appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes – a run that stems all the way back to a 2-1 defeat against Atalanta on July 21st.
Team News
Away with Colombia featuring at this month’s World Cup qualifiers, Columbus will be unable to call upon attacking talisman Cucho Hernandez in the early hours of Sunday. Likewise, still sidelined with a long-term arm injury, veteran goalkeeper Evan Bush will not feature this weekend.
However, serving a one-match suspension against Philadelphia last week, former Montreal defender Rudy Camacho could make a full return here. Despite notching just a pair of goals over the past six weeks, ex-Fenerbache star Diego Rossi will lead Columbus’ charge.
New England Revolution
As for the visitors, continuing on what has been a major MLS nightmare this season, New England have long since accepted that they will be unable to clinch a play-off ticket. Last seen putting in another worrying performance as they slumped to a 2-1 loss at home against DC United, Caleb Porter’s men are scrapping it out at the foot of the Eastern Conference and have come under plenty of scrutiny this year. Opening up October with another 2-1 defeat at the hands of Houston, Sunday’s guests have registered just a pair of victories from any of their previous 13 consecutive MLS appearances. With that extended crisis stemming all the way back to July 4th, New England should be bracing themselves for what looks set to be another heavyweight challenge when they travel to Ohio this weekend.
Team News
Both still dealing with respective injury issues, New England will once again be without the duo of Tomas Chancalay and Will Sands this weekend. However, heading into their trip to Ohio, the Revs have reported a clean bill of health.
Although Giacomo Vrioni might have failed to find the net since the end of August, the Albania International will lead New England’s charge in the final third. Former LA Galaxy star Emmanuel Boateng will partner Vrioni in attack.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Columbus and New England last met back on June 30th, Sunday’s hosts collected a thumping 5-1 victory at the Gillette Stadium.
- Columbus are unbeaten in each of their previous seven straight showdowns against the Revs.
- Sunday’s hosts have lost just a pair of their previous 16 consecutive appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes.
- New England have registered just two wins from any of their previous 13 consecutive MLS appearances.
- Six of the last seven meetings between Columbus and New England have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Looking to officially wrap up a silver medal finish on Sunday, Columbus will be looking to make another statement here. Claiming a welcomed boost last weekend as they secured an action-packed 3-2 victory against Philadelphia, the Crew will also be excited by their most recent showdown against New England. Storming their way to a sensational 5-1 romp when they travelled to the Gillette Stadium back on June 30th, we are expecting a similar home victory in Ohio.
Verdict: Columbus Crew win
Best Odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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