FC Cincinnati vs Charlotte FC Prediction & Betting Tips - Major League Soccer

Prediction published on 22/09/2023, 00:30  by Joseph King | Modified on 22/09/2023 at 00:30 in Major League Soccer Predictions

Eastern Conference leading FC Cincinnati will look to get back to winning ways when they host 12th-place Charlotte for this MLS clash. We’re into the home stretch for the regular season in Major League Soccer with teams battling for playoff positioning. Cincinnati won’t have to worry too much about that as they hold a comfortable nine point lead over second-place New England. With five matches remaining on their schedule, the Orange and Blue are tantalizingly close to what would be the club’s first ever Supporters’ Shield trophy. They’ll be setting their sights on closing out the season strongly in preparation for the MLS Cup playoffs. The home side come into this fixture on a three match winless run. They needed a 97th minute penalty to steal a point off of Montreal in a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. This is only the second time all season that Cincinnati have gone three matches without a win in the MLS.

Charlotte have made themselves a stubborn side upon returning from the Leagues Cup and have yet to lose in those five matches. However, they’ve been unable to convert the full three points in the majority of those encounters and have now drawn their last four games on the trot. Charlotte’s most recent outing was a 2-2 home draw with the Philadelphia Union which saw them squander a two goal lead in the second half. The gut-punch equalizer came in the form of a 97th minute penalty for the Union, slotted home by Daniel Gazdag. While avoiding defeat is always a positive, the results will be seen as somewhat disappointing given four of Charlotte’s five during that stretch came on home soil. They now have to play away from home against the league’s best home team. Charlotte have not looked good on the road this season with only three wins from 13 trips.