Bitesize Prediction: Columbus Crew vs Charlotte – 18/07/24

Competition: MLS

Market: Goal to be scored in both halves

Odds: 3/5 @ BetUS

Looking to extend on their MLS purple patch in the early hours of Thursday, Columbus will welcome Charlotte to Ohio.

Starting with the hosts, putting in another stunning performance last weekend as they stormed their way to a 5-1 romp away at Los Angeles, Columbus are in the midst of what has become a sensational purple patch. Signing off June with another thumping 5-1 win against New England, Wilfried Nancy’s camp are riding a major wave of momentum. Skyrocketing their way up the Eastern Conference standings and with the mood around Ohio at a red-hot high, the former Montreal boss has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits. In fact, along with storming their way to a 4-0 victory against Toronto on July 7th, Columbus have won all of their previous five consecutive MLS appearances by an aggregate score of 20-2. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their clinical displays in the final third, the Crew have remarkably also collected 27 points from their last 10 top-flight showdowns. It should also be highlighted, Thursday’s hosts have won their previous three matchups in Ohio by an aggregate score of 10-0.

As for the visitors, claiming a welcomed boost last weekend as they secured a shock 3-1 victory away at Cincinnati, Charlotte will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. Although Dean Smith’s men might be seeking some recent stability, the former Aston Villa boss finds his squad sat firmly in the driving seat to claim a play-off ticket this season. Hoping to collect back-to-back MLS wins for the first time over the past month, the Crown should also be excited by their most recent showdown against Thursday’s hosts. In fact, landing an eye-catching 2-0 win when they welcomed Columbus to the Bank of America Stadium back on March 23rd, they have also lost just one of their six historic battles against their Eastern Conference rivals. Likewise, including that 3-1 win against Cincinnati last week, Charlotte have registered nine points from their previous four MLS battles outside of North Carolina.

Bet: Goal to be scored in both halves of Columbus Crew vs Charlotte 3/5 for Thursday’s MLS matchup @ BetUS