Yankee Stadium hosts an intriguing MLS match on Saturday afternoon. NYCFC host the Columbus Crew in the first of six matches across the league during the day. Columbus enter on a three-game winning streak and with arguably the most potent offense in MLS. NYCFC have struggled to score and look to avoid a ninth consecutive match without a victory.
Caesars Sportsbook lists NYCFC as the +122 favorites (risk $100 to win $122) in the latest NYCFC vs. Columbus odds. Columbus are +220 underdogs, a draw is priced at +235, and the over/under for total goals scored is set at 2.5. Kickoff from New York is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Before making any NYCFC vs. Columbus picks or MLS predictions, be sure to check out what proven SportsLine soccer insider Brandt Sutton is saying.
Sutton, a former collegiate soccer player, has been SportsLine's top soccer editor for nearly five years. He has followed soccer closely for much longer and factors in managerial tactics, projected lineups and past performances to make the most-informed decisions possible, keeping his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe. He was SportsLine's top soccer expert in 2022 with a 165-130-2 mark, returning nearly $2,200 for $100 players. He was also a profitable 24-19 on MLS picks.
Now, Sutton has taken an in-depth look at NYCFC vs. Columbus and just locked in his picks and MLS predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the betting lines for NYCFC vs. Columbus:
- NYCFC vs. Columbus money line: NYC +122, COL +220, Draw +235
- NYCFC vs. Columbus spread: NYC -0.5 (+115)
- NYCFC vs. Columbus over/under: 2.5 goals
- NYCFC: Eight-game winless streak; longest for club in MLS play since 2015
- COL: Three-game winning streak
- NYCFC vs. Columbus picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why you should back NYCFC
NYCFC are playing at home in this match, which should not be overlooked when examining the matchup. NYCFC have only two losses in eight home matches this season and, by all accounts, the club has performed at a much higher level when playing at Yankee Stadium. In contrast, Columbus have five losses in its eight road matches this season, with a -5 goal differential away from home.
New York also rank in the top five of MLS when it comes to possessing the ball, and Columbus have issues on defense. The Crew are in the bottom five of the East with 25 goals allowed, and Columbus have allowed a goal in six straight matches, giving up two goals per game over that span. New York are above-average in goals allowed (22) after back-to-back clean sheets prior to this match. See which team to pick here.
Why you should back Columbus
The Crew have the best player on the field in this match with Lucas Zelarayan. The 30-year-old midfielder is No. 3 in MLS with 14 goals + assists this season, ranking in the top eight of the league with eight goals and No. 2 in the league with six assists. Zelarayan has at least one goal or assist in 9 of the last 11 games, and he is a constant threat to opposing defenses. The Crew lead MLS with 28 assists as a team, and they are also tied for the league lead with 35 goals. Thirteen different players have scored for Columbus this season, and the club has a +10 goal differential that ranks in the top five of MLS.
Overall, the Crew are riding high after three straight wins and nine goals in those three contests. On the other side, New York are winless in their last eight outings, with back-to-back scoreless efforts coming into this match. NYCFC have the third-fewest goals (17) in the Eastern Conference this season. See which team to pick here.
How to make NYCFC vs. Columbus picks
Sutton has taken an intensive look at the NYCFC vs. Columbus matchup from every angle. He has locked in a confident best bet, and has myriad angles to back it up. He's only sharing his picks and MLS analysis at SportsLine.
So who wins NYCFC vs. Columbus, and where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for the NYCFC vs. Columbus match, all from the expert who is red-hot on his soccer picks, and find out.
