Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 18 October 2025

Get ready for a thrilling showdown in Major League Soccer as Columbus Crew take on the New York Red Bulls on 18 October 2025 at 23:00 at Lower.com Field. With Columbus Crew sitting in 14th place with 51 points and New York Red Bulls at 17th with 43 points, both teams will be eager to finish strong in this final round of the competition.

Columbus Crew, under coach Wilfried Nancy, boast a strong home record and are the bookmakers’ favorites with odds of 1.55 for a win. Diego Rossi, their top scorer with 16 goals, will be a key player to watch.

On the other side, the New York Red Bulls, led by Sandro Schwarz, have had a tough season, particularly in away games, which makes Columbus look even stronger for a win. Despite notable contributions from their top scorer Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (also with 16 goals), the Red Bulls have struggled to find consistency.

Given their recent form and home advantage, Columbus Crew are recommended for a bet to win this encounter.

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls Prediction & Betting tip

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls Prediction
Betting Tip
Columbus Crew to Win – Odds: 1.55

Columbus Crew are strong favorites to win this match, and here’s why:

• The Crew boast a solid home record and have shown commendable form, making them a sturdy bet for this game.
• Columbus Crew are highly motivated to secure a win in their final regular-season match in front of their fans at Lower.com Field.
• New York Red Bulls have struggled in away games this season, adding to the likelihood of a Columbus win.

Given these factors, Columbus Crew are the smart choice for a win.

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls Odds

The odds for the upcoming match between Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls favor the home team. With their impressive home record and consistent performances, Columbus Crew are considered the bookmakers’ favorites.

Here’s a detailed look at the odds:

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Columbus Crew to Win	1.55
Draw	4.19
New York Red Bulls to Win	5.18

A Columbus Crew win is deemed the most likely outcome, reflecting their solid home performances and strong form leading into this crucial fixture. A draw is less likely but possible, given the competitive nature of MLS matches. New York Red Bulls are the clear underdogs, struggling with away fixtures throughout the season.

These odds highlight Columbus Crew as the smart bet for this matchup.

Columbus Crew Team Analysis

Columbus Crew Recent Performance

Columbus Crew’s recent form has been a mixed bag, showcasing a record of one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five matches. Here’s a closer look:

• 1-1 vs Orlando City (A)
• 0-2 vs Chicago Fire FC (A)
• 1-1 vs Toronto FC (H)
• 2-3 vs New York City FC (A)
• 5-4 vs Atlanta United (A)

Their average goals scored in these matches sit at 1.80, indicating a capable attack led by Diego Rossi, who has netted 16 goals this season. However, Columbus has struggled at the defensive end, failing to record a single clean sheet in their last five outings.

Despite these defensive issues, their home form remains a strength, making them a formidable opponent at Lower.com Field.

Columbus Crew Key Players

Diego Rossi is undoubtedly the standout player for Columbus Crew this season. With 16 goals to his name, he remains their top scorer and a crucial figure in their attacking setup. Rossi’s partnership with wingers Hugo Picard and Lassi Lappalainen, along with Darlington Nagbe’s playmaking abilities in midfield, makes Columbus a formidable offensive unit.

Additionally, central midfielders Dylan Chambost and Sean Zawadzki will play significant roles in both creating chances and maintaining defensive stability.

Expected lineup for Columbus Crew:

• Goalkeeper: Patrick Schulte
• Defenders: Andres Herrera, Steven Moreira, Malte Amundsen, Max Arfsten
• Midfielders: Dylan Chambost, Darlington Nagbe, Sean Zawadzki
• Forwards: Hugo Picard, Diego Rossi, Lassi Lappalainen

Watch out for the battle between Rossi and New York’s robust defense, featuring Tim Parker and Alexander Hack. It’s shaping up to be a fascinating contest.

Columbus Crew Suspensions & Injuries

Columbus Crew will be missing a few key players due to injuries for their upcoming match against the New York Red Bulls.

Rudy Camacho is sidelined with a thigh injury and is not expected to return until late October. Mohamed Farsi is also out with a back injury, and his return is slated for the same period. Additionally, Wessam Abou Ali is recovering from an ankle injury and will likely be unavailable until late October.

These absences could impact the team’s defensive solidity and depth, but with their formidable home record and the remaining squad’s strength, Columbus Crew remain confident heading into this critical fixture. Their depth in talent and home advantage might help mitigate these setbacks.

Columbus Crew Tactics and Formation

Columbus Crew Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Diego Rossi
• Midfield Trio: Dylan Chambost, Darlington Nagbe, Sean Zawadzki
• Defensive Challenge: No clean sheets in the last five games.
• Notable Strategy: Applying intense pressure and leveraging high-energy attacks, particularly in the final third of the game.

Columbus Crew’s tactical setup under Wilfried Nancy is built around a dynamic 4-3-3 system. This formation allows for potent offensive strategies, highlighting the synergy between Diego Rossi and the wingers Hugo Picard and Lassi Lappalainen. The midfield trio of Chambost, Nagbe, and Zawadzki offers a balanced mix of creativity, control, and defensive resilience.

Despite recent defensive lapses, the Crew focus on maximizing their home advantage with fluid, high-pressing game plans designed to overwhelm opponents, especially during the high-energy late stages of matches.

New York Red Bulls Team Analysis

New York Red Bulls Recent Performance

New York Red Bulls have had a challenging run of form leading up to this crucial match against Columbus Crew, with their last five matches resulting in one win, one draw, and three losses:

• 0-1 vs FC Cincinnati (H)
• 2-3 vs New York City FC (H)
• 2-0 vs CF Montreal (A)
• 1-2 vs Portland Timbers (A)
• 0-0 vs Columbus Crew (H)

The team has averaged 1 goal per match over their last five outings and managed to secure two clean sheets. Despite their struggles, the Red Bulls have shown pockets of resilience, particularly with standout performances from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Emil Forsberg. Their inconsistency, especially in away games, has been a significant hurdle they will need to overcome if they are to get a result against Columbus Crew.

New York Red Bulls Key Players

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting stands out as New York Red Bulls’ top scorer with 16 goals this season. His physical presence and ability to find the back of the net make him a key player for the Red Bulls. Emil Forsberg, who has also been in stellar form, will be crucial with his playmaking and scoring abilities.

The midfield duo of Dennis Gjengaar and Ronald Donkor helps orchestrate attacks and shield the defense, making them essential for the Red Bulls’ game plan. Defensively, the leadership of Tim Parker and Alexander Hack will be crucial in dealing with Columbus Crew’s attacking threats.

Expected lineup for New York Red Bulls:

• Goalkeeper: Carlos Coronel
• Defenders: Dylan Nealis, Alexander Hack, Tim Parker, Marcelo Morales
• Midfielders: Dennis Gjengaar, Ronald Donkor, Gustav Berggren, Mohammed Sofo
• Forwards: Eric Choupo-Moting, Emil Forsberg

Expect a key battle between Choupo-Moting and Columbus’ defenders, which could be pivotal in determining the match outcome.

New York Red Bulls Suspensions & Injuries

New York Red Bulls are facing quite a few injury concerns ahead of their crucial clash against Columbus Crew.

Cameron Harper is sidelined with a knee injury, and his return is not expected until late October 2025. Similarly, Lewis Morgan is dealing with a thigh injury and will miss this game, with a potential return date around the same period.

Additionally, Wiktor Bogacz is out due to an ankle injury, while Noah Eile is recovering from a hamstring injury and will likely be unavailable until early November 2025. Perhaps the most significant long-term absence is AJ Marcucci, who is recovering from a cruciate ligament injury and is not expected back until late April 2026.

These injuries could significantly impact the Red Bulls’ squad depth and tactical flexibility, making their away fixture at Columbus even more challenging.

New York Red Bulls Tactics and Formation

New York Red Bulls Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forward: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
• Midfield Pair: Dennis Gjengaar, Ronald Donkor
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games.
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on disciplined defending and quick counter-attacks.

Under coach Sandro Schwarz, New York Red Bulls adopt a flexible 4-4-2 formation. This structure allows them to be compact defensively while exploiting fast break opportunities through their forwards, particularly Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. The midfield duo of Dennis Gjengaar and Ronald Donkor is pivotal in transitioning from defense to attack, balancing aggression with tactical discipline.

The defense, led by Tim Parker and Alexander Hack, is structured to repel continuous pressure and launch swift counter-attacks. Despite their recent struggles, this approach could be crucial against the offensive prowess of Columbus Crew.

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls Head-to-Head Statistics

These two teams have had quite the history in their recent encounters. Looking at their last five meetings provides us with a glimpse of how competitive this fixture can be:

• 0-0 Draw (2025-08-30, MLS)
• 2-2 Draw (5-4 on penalties) (2024-11-03, MLS Playoff)
• New York Red Bulls 1-0 Win (2024-10-29, MLS Playoff)
• Columbus Crew 3-2 Win (2024-10-19, MLS)
• Columbus Crew 3-0 Win (2024-03-16, MLS)

Columbus Crew have slightly had the upper hand with two wins, while the Red Bulls secured one victory and the rest ended in draws, with one playoff match being decided on penalties.

The matches have been fairly evenly contested, with both teams showing flashes of brilliance. Diego Rossi and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will undoubtedly look to leave their mark in this upcoming fixture. Expect a hard-fought battle given their recent history.

Odds accurate as of 16.10.2025 23:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.