Columbus Crew vs New York City Predictions

• Columbus Crew ended a disappointing 2019 season in 20th position, failing to qualify for the playoffs.
• New York City won the Eastern Conference, finishing 2nd overall but lost to Toronto FC in the playoffs.
• Columbus scored just 39 times last season with their games averaging 2.5 goals per game.
• New York City scored 63 times, seeing their matches averaging 3.1 goals per game.

A much improved season is needed for Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew had a very disappointing 2019, finishing in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and 20th overall. The start of the season proved to be the worst period for Columbus in many years as they lost 13 times in 15 games and whilst their form picked up a bit in the second half of the season it proved to be too late to salvage anything from a terrible year.

Despite their poor performance the club has kept their faith in Caleb Porter and the head coach has made some significant changes to try and alter his sides fortunes. Federico Higuain has left the club after seven years and he was followed by Wil Trapp as the club allowed two players synonymous with the club to depart. Lucas Zelarayan and Darlington Nagbe were their replacements and Fanendo Adi joins the club to add an additional goal threat.

Columbus managed to score just 39 times last season, an average of just 1.14 goals per game and the third lowest total in the league. They need their strikers to do much more in the final third but additionally their defence needs to be a lot tighter with the side conceding at a rate of 1.38 goals per game over the course of 2019.

Eastern Conference glory was New York City’s last year

New York City added the first piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet last season, winning the Eastern Conference by six points and qualifying for the quarter finals of the MLS Cup as a result. They were beaten by Toronto FC at that stage though, suffering a poor defeat at home and ending a really successful season prematurely.

Ronny Delia has been the quietest manager on the transfer front in the off season, instead preferring to keep faith with the group of players who did him so well last season. This tactic has worked so far with the side advancing to the quarter finals of the Champions League in midweek, beating Costa Rican side, San Carlos 6-3 over two legs.

New York City were able to find the net 63 times last season, leading the Eastern Conference in goals scored with Heber netting 15 times for the side. The Brazilian will be looking to best that total this season and looks in good shape to do so. Defensively the side conceded at a rate of 1.23 goals per game and they’d be hard pressed to improve that record much further in the coming year.

Both sides are hoping to make an early impression

Columbus Crew come into this weekend hoping to make 2019 a distant memory and start the new season with a win whilst New York City will be hoping to carry their excellent form from last year over into the new campaign. The visitors have been preoccupied with the Champions League however and this could be a factor as they come into this game having played on Wednesday night against tough opposition.

Columbus will be fully motivated for this match and this could give them a slight edge over 90 minutes. We’re banking on New York City being a little tired and distracted by the Champions League exploits with Columbus taking full advantage and picking up an early home win. We’re backing Columbus Crew to win this match on the full time market.

Whilst we think Columbus will take the win from this game, we don’t think it will be a resounding win for The Crew, rather a hard fought win they really have to work for. New York City will be stubborn opposition regards of their physical or mental state and we’re predicting that Columbus will only be able to grab a 1-0 win.