Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - MLS
Philadelphia Union have already clinched their playoff place, but they travel to TQL Stadium without Milan Iloski, the top scorer who has carried their attack, while FC Cincinnati are still fighting to protect a postseason place of their own in their home finale. Cincinnati score freely at home and concede just as freely, which makes this the most volatile Eastern Conference game of the weekend.
The Matchup
FC Cincinnati are 11-10-11 and eighth in the Eastern Conference on 43 points, two points ahead of the Columbus Crew behind them, and still not safe with two matches to play. Pat Noonan's side have made TQL Stadium a shootout venue, with 38 goals scored and 30 conceded in 15 home matches.
Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Inter Miami CF kept them in the wild card places, with Kévin Denkey and Evander leading the line. Philadelphia Union are 13-8-11 and sixth on 47 points, and they clinched their playoff berth with a 0-0 draw at Nashville SC on Wednesday.
The cost of Philadelphia's week sits up front. Iloski, who has 19 league goals, is out with a hamstring strain, and interim coach Ryan Richter has already ruled him out of this match. Neither club has named its side yet.
The expectation is Denkey and Evander starting together again for Cincinnati, who remain without defenders Miles Robinson, Tyrell Malacia and Julián Malatini. For Philadelphia, Bruno Damiani is expected back after serving a suspension on Wednesday, with Ezekiel Alladoh and Malik Jakupovic, who both started at Nashville, the other options to lead the line.
Key Factors
Denkey and Evander give Cincinnati two separate ways to hurt a side. Denkey has 17 goals, Evander has 14 goals and 16 assists, and both started on Wednesday when Cincinnati scored twice against Miami. Philadelphia's problem is arithmetic.
Iloski's goals are gone for this trip, Damiani and his 12 goals are only just returning from suspension, and the makeshift front two at Nashville on Wednesday did not score. The Union still defend well enough to make this a grind, and Andre Blake behind a settled back line is the counterpoint Cincinnati have to respect.
Cincinnati's own defending is the other honest caveat. Noonan's side have conceded 73 goals this season, the absences at the back, with Robinson among them, are real, and Philadelphia scored 34 goals in 16 away matches even before this week. But the need in this game sits on one side. Cincinnati are the club that has to take points at home, Philadelphia are already in and travelling on a short week, and TQL Stadium games rarely stay quiet for long.
Philadelphia are the better side over the season, but they are not the better side this week, not on the road without the forward their attack runs through. Cincinnati have to have this game, they score in bunches at home, and a draw refunds the stake in a game a shorthanded favorite might gladly settle for a point. Take FC Cincinnati draw no bet at -112.
Game Information
| DATE | Saturday (10/31) |
|---|---|
| START TIME | 1:00 PM CT |
| HOW TO WATCH | Apple TV |
| VENUE | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati |
| COMPETITION | MLS |
| ROUND | MLS Regular Season |
| SPREAD | FC Cincinnati 0.0 (-109) |
| TOTAL | 3.5 (Over -113 · Under -107) |
| MONEYLINE | FC Cincinnati +149 / Draw +301 / Philadelphia Union +148 |
| DRAW NO BET | FC Cincinnati -112 / Philadelphia Union -112 |
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