Fc Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew Picks and Predictions July 12th 2025

Cincinnati Hosts Columbus in Heated ‘Hell is Real Derby’ Rematch

It’s rivalry week in MLS, and few matches carry as much heat as the “Hell is Real Derby.” On Saturday night, FC Cincinnati will host the Columbus Crew in a high-stakes Eastern Conference clash that pits two of the league’s hottest teams against each other with the Supporters’ Shield lead on the line.

Turn fierce rivalries into smart wins—check out our MLS expert picks and boost your odds this weekend.

Cincinnati Riding Momentum, Eyes Club Record

FC Cincinnati (13-5-3, 42 points) enters the match on a four-game winning streak, recently overtaking the top spot in the MLS standings after a 2-1 victory over Chicago. Another win Saturday would mark their second five-game win streak of the season.

All eyes will be on All-Star midfielder Evander, who has scored in three straight matches. A goal against Columbus would tie the club’s record for most consecutive MLS games with a goal.

“It’s just an exciting game to be a part of, I think, for both clubs,” said Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan. “For the state and for the league… trying to approach the game with the right mentality to entertain and to make your respective fan bases and clubs proud.”

Cincinnati is also unbeaten in its last three meetings with Columbus, including a 1-1 draw earlier this season and a scoreless deadlock at home in 2024.

Want to see if Cincy can continue their dominance? Get the inside edge with our MLS Predictions and Picks.

Columbus Quietly Building Steam

Columbus (10-3-8, 38 points) is quietly stacking points with a four-match unbeaten run and a gritty 1-1 draw at Seattle last weekend. That result kept the Crew locked in fourth place in the East while extending their positive form.

Veteran goalkeeper Evan Bush has stepped up for the Crew in recent matches, helping shut out Seattle over the final 47 minutes last Sunday.

“It was two good teams, two structured teams, two well-coached teams kind of playing cat-and-mouse, give-and-take a little bit,” Bush said. “I think you saw that where it wasn’t as free and open as maybe some other games would be.”

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The Crew will lean on forward Diego Rossi, who has delivered 10 goals and four assists this season. His penalty equalizer back on May 17 ensured the last rivalry matchup ended in a draw.

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With bragging rights and playoff positioning at stake, Saturday’s derby will be far more than a regional rivalry—it’s a statement game. Whether you’re backing Cincinnati’s home form or Columbus’ resilience, the best value can be found with our updated MLS Betting Picks.