FC Cincinnati vs Charlotte

FC Cincinnati and Charlotte are set to square off in a handsomely-looking Major League Soccer match-up at TQL Stadium.

Back to the top of the Eastern Confidence following a 6-1 thumping of 2nd-placed Inter Miami last weekend, high-flying Cincinnati are searching for a fourth consecutive MLS win. They’ve gone into overdrive since a shock 2-1 home loss to New England Revolution in mid-June, averaging 3.33 goals per game across their last three league outings. Though a four-game unbeaten H2H run (W2, D2) suggests this should be a walk in the park for the Orange and Blue, Cincinnati would be well-advised not to take anything for granted after an evenly-contested 1-1 draw in March’s reverse fixture. That result broke their streak of scoring 2+ goals in three successive MLS meetings with Charlotte. But they can take confidence from winning both previous home H2Hs by 2+ goals ‘to nil.’

On the other hand, Charlotte’s dip in form after a four-game unbeaten run in June (W3, D1) has seen them lose back-to-back league matches for the first time since April. Both defeats yielded a single-goal margin, following the visitors’ trend of producing close affairs, with five of their last six MLS games decided by a full-time margin of under 1.5 goals. However, Dean Smith’s men haven’t fared well on the road, picking up only three wins across their ten league travels this season (D1, L6). If it’s any consolation, five of their six away league losses in 2024 have come by a one-goal margin, suggesting this encounter could go down to the wire even if they lose.