FC Cincinnati at DC United Betting Preview

The penultimate game of September for FC Cincinnati gives them an opportunity to stay out of the last place as they head on the road to the nation’s capital. Meanwhile D.C. United are one point away from the final playoff spot in the East as they look to make some noise. Kickoff Saturday is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Audi Field in Washington D.C and will be streamed on ESPN+

Back on July 31, these teams met in Ohio for a 0-0 draw. Last season D.C. United won 2-1 on the road and the teams also drew 0-0. FC Cincinnati has never defeated United in an MLS game as the teams have three draws and two D.C. wins. 

Brenner Heating up for Cincinnati

The Orange and Blue have won just once since June 26 with seven losses and seven draws in that stretch. They beat Toronto FC on June 26 and again on September 11 for their two most recent wins. The good news is they head to Toronto on Wednesday but the bad news is they are only two points ahead of TFC and could be in the last place by the end of the weekend. 

Brenner grabbed another goal last weekend with a fourth-minute strike at home against NYCFC. The goal was a welcome sight for a team that had been shut out in two of the previous three games. However, FCC couldn’t hold on and lost 2-1 with a 60th-minute penalty kick being the decider.

Brenner leads the team with seven goals while Luciano Acosta leads the way with eight assists. With nine games to go in the season, this starts a stretch where FCC can gain some confidence and build into 2022.  

United Lean on Kamara

United had taken points from three straight games before falling in Atlanta 3-2 last Saturday. They have scored three goals in each of their last two home games with a 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire and a 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union. Each of their last two losses has come against Atlanta United and they have scored at least two goals in five of the last seven games.

Ola Kamara is the Golden Boot leader with 16 goals on the season. Meanwhile, Julain Gressel has provided eight assists. United average five shots on goal per game and over five corner kicks per game as well. They are also stingy at home with only eight goals allowed this season at Audi Field. 

D.C. United have scored eight penalty kicks, the most in the MLS this season. They have not missed from the spot all year but FCC has only conceded two penalty kicks in 2021. 

Batting Analysis

D.C. United -200 Moneyline

FC Cincinnati +500 Moneyline

Draw +360

Total Goals: 2.5. Over -130. Under +105

First Goal: D.C. United -250. FC Cincinnati +225. No Goals +850

United have been a great goal-scoring team over the last month and they have been even better on defense at home. Brenner may be the only FC Cincinnati player who can find the back of the net and it will be tough for the Orange and Blue to keep up with Kamara. FCC is going to need one of their best games of the season to stay in this one as it could get out of hand early.