Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Matthew O’Regan delivers his Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview from the Eastern Conference as third place Columbus Crew hosts 6th place Charlotte FC at the Lower.com Field.

• Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC Tip 1: Columbus Crew -1 Asian Handicap
• Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC Tip 2: Cucho Hernandez to score
• Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC Tip 3: Liel Abada over 1.5 shots and over 0.5 shots on target

Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC Prediction 1: Clinical Cucho

USA, MLS, Thursday, July 18th, 01:30 (UK)

When Cucho Hernandez moved from Watford to join Columbus Crew, it raised a few eyebrows, with many feeling the Colombian had the ability to play in the Premier League. Still, the MLS has proven to be a gateway league for young South Americans in particular to impress and move to Europe – a pathway Hernandez is sure to follow. 

Since moving to the States in 2022, Hernandez has scored 42 goals in 65 appearances and will be looking to claim the golden boot. This season, the 25-year-old has scored 12 goals in 15 MLS starts, averaging 0.82 goals, 5.54 shots and 1.91 shots on target per 90. 

He has a goal contribution in his last seven games, scoring eight goals and assisting five in this timeframe. When playing at home, Hernandez has scored in seven of his 11 starts. 

• Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC Prediction 1: Cucho Hernandez to score (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.72
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

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Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC Prediction 2: Relentless Columbus

Current MLS champions Columbus Crew have had a strong start to the 2024 season as they look to defend their title. Fresh off a 1-5 away win at last seasons runners-up LAFC, Wilfried Nancy’s side sit third in the Eastern Conference behind Inter Miami and Cincinnati, but with the chance to leapfrog the pair if they win their games in hand. 

The 5-1 drubbing of LAFC was a real statement of intent and was the Crew’s fifth win in a row. Of these five wins, Columbus scored at least four goals in four of them, with the 2-0 win over Nashville the exception. 

At home, Columbus have lost just once (against table toppers Cincinnati). The other nine home games has seen six wins and three draws. 

Charlotte have struggled on their travels, winning just four of their 11 away games. The last time these two sides met in Columbus, the hosts ran out 4-2 winners.

• Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC Prediction 2: Columbus Crew -1 Asian Handicap
  
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

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Columbus Crew vs Charlotte Prediction 3: Attacking Abada

Liel Abada signed for Charlotte FC at the start of the season from Celtic after am impressive couple of seasons. The 22-year-old was signed as a young, designated player but has been inconsistent in his short stint thus far. 

The Israeli winger has four goals and one assist in 12 starts after scoring in the shock win at Cincinnati last week. In his last full season with Celtic, he was electric, with 15 goal contributions in 13 starts. That season he also averaged 3.26 shots and 1.54 shots on target per 90 and was always eager to impress. This season, Abada is averaging 0.36 shots per 90 and 2.77 shots and 1.43 shots per 90. 

With Columbus Crew expected to lead for the majority of the game, we should see Charlotte FC play with plenty of attacking intent, of which Liel Abada will be at the forefront of it. 

• Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC Prediction 3: Liel Abada over 0.5 shots on target
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, July 16th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

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Columbus Crew vs Charlotte FC Team News and Possible Lineups: Near full-strength for both

After a red card in the dying embers of the victory over LAFC, Marino Hinestroza is suspended for this game, although the 22-year-old has started just four games so won’t be too big a miss. The only other absentee is veteran back-up goalkeeper Evan Bush. 

The front three of Christian Ramirez, Diego Rossi and Cucho Hernandez has scored 27 goals between them, so Nancy will be blessed to have the trio available once more. 

Charlotte FC are also blessed with a near-full squad, with only Brazilian midfielder Junior Urso absent. An unchanged side from the one that shocked Cincinnatti is expected. 

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Camacho, Amundsen; Farsi, Zawadzki, Nagbe, Arfsten; Rossi, Ramirez, Hernandez

Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Uronen; Diani, Westwood; Vargas, Bronico, Abada; Tavares

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Match Stats: Solid Columbus

• Columbus Crew have the best home defensive record, conceding just six in 10
• Charlotte just edge the head-to-head record, winning 2/5 of the meetings
• Columbus Crew have won nine of their last ten league games
• Charlotte have kept just two clean sheets away from home.

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Columbus Crew Fixtures: Two tricky away games

• Vs Charlotte FC (H)
• Vs Atlanta United (A)
• Vs Philadelphia (A)
• Vs New York City (H)
• Vs Seattle Sounders (H)

Charlotte FC Fixtures: Back-to-back travels

• Vs Columbus Crew (A)
• Vs Austin FC (A)
• Vs Philadelphia Union (A)
• Vs Cruz Azul (H)
• Vs New York Red Bulls (H)

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