Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew Prediction, Betting Tips, Lineups & Odds | 16 May 2026

MLS Betting Preview: Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew

Philadelphia Union meet Columbus Crew at Subaru Park, with kick-off set for 19:30 on Saturday 16 May.

There could be some merit in backing Over 2.5 when Philadelphia go up against Columbus. We think that the Total Goals market provides a value betting angle and we’re happy to take the -141 on offer.

Philadelphia Union have been defeated in back-to-back MLS games. On the road at Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando City recently beat them 4-3. The Union had 46% of possession and seven shots on target, while Milan Iloski, Cavan Sullivan and Ben Bender scored one goal apiece.

Columbus Crew have now lost three consecutive matches. Away from home in their previous game, New York Red Bulls won 3-2 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The Ohio outfit boasted 69% possession and had four shots on goal, with Max Arfsten and Diego Rossi on the scoresheet.

Head-to-Head Statistics

Columbus have beaten Philadelphia in their last two encounters, winning by 2-0 and 1-0 scorelines when hosting at Lower.com Field. We’ve seen the past 10 H2H games involve four Columbus wins. There have also been three draws and three Philadelphia victories.

MLS		G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	GD	P
26	Columbus Crew	13	3	3	7	18	22	-4	18:22	12
30	Philadelphia	13	1	3	9	13	23	-10	13:23	6

View Full Table

Philadelphia have 1 win, 6 losses and 3 draws, averaging 1.2 goals from 4.0 shots on goal and 14.8 attempts. Bradley Carnell's men have averaged 46.8% possession and 6.0 corners per match, conceding 1.9 goals and 3.2 corners from 3.4 shots on goal and 9.1 attempts.

Top goalscorer Milan Iloski has found the net 3 times, Danley Jean Jacques 2, with Cavan Sullivan and two other players on 1. Leading assistor is Alejandro Bedoya with 2.

Columbus have won 3, lost 6 and drawn 1, with an average of 4.2 shots on goal, 11.9 attempts and 1.4 goals. The Crew average 57.5% possession, 5.6 corners taken and 3.8 corners against them, while 1.7 goals have been conceded from 9.4 attempts and 4.1 shots on goal.

Max Arfsten is top scorer on 4, with Diego Rossi and Wessam Abou Ali next on 3. Max Arfsten has managed 4 assists in the last 10 games.

Predicted & Confirmed Lineups

Philadelphia Union predicted lineup (4-4-2): Andrew Rick (GK), Nathan Harriel, Geiner Martínez, Olwethu Makhanya, Ben Bender, Indiana Vassilev, Jovan Lukic, Danley Jean Jacques, Jeremy Rafanello, Milan Iloski, Bruno Damiani.

Columbus Crew predicted lineup (4-4-2): Patrick Schulte (GK), Steven Moreira, Rudy Camacho, Sean Zawadzki, Owen Presthus, Hugo Picard, Andre Gomes, Sekou Tidiany Bangoura, Max Arfsten, Dániel Gazdag, Taha Habroune.

Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew Prediction & Betting Tips

Join us as we dissect the best Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew betting tips — from our expert match prediction and correct score advice to a sharp corners pick, top player prop insights and a ready-made bet builder.

Match Prediction

The teams could end up scoring plenty of goals and that leads us to back Over 2.5 when it comes to this MLS encounter. We can snap up odds of -141 and we’re confident of securing a return.

Our football betting picks come from having access to off-the-press team news along with going through the MLS form guide. It’s also important to identify the key stats.

Key Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew league stats:

• The 2.5 line has been covered in 7 of the last 10 Philadelphia games.
• The 2.5 line has been covered in 3 of the last 5 Philadelphia games.
• The 2.5 line has been covered in the last 2 Philadelphia games.
• The 2.5 line has been covered in the last 8 Columbus games on the road.
• The 2.5 line has been covered in 14 of the last 20 Columbus games on the road.

The top bookmakers are estimating that there is a 58.5% likelihood of this pick landing a return. However, we think that the probability sits between 65-70% taking all factors into consideration. This bet can therefore be backed with confidence.

If you’re looking for bigger odds, then consider combining Over 2.5 Goals with other selections. This can be achieved by placing a Bet Builder and there’s some tasty prices available.

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Our Match Prediction

Over 2.5 Goals @ -141 Bet Now

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Disclosure: This preview contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. T&Cs apply. We only recommend licensed and regulated operators. See our Editorial Policy. Pick odds and lines reflect the price available at the time of publication (May 15, 01:58). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Correct Score Prediction

Philadelphia 1 - 2 Columbus

An exciting bet could be a 2-1 victory in favor of Columbus at odds of +700. A correct score wager provides a fun alternative and a nice potential return on the cards.

Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: Max Arfsten to Score +440

Max Arfsten (Columbus) has netted three goals in his past five MLS away games. We believe that there is merit in backing him for an Anytime Goalscorer prop wager at +440 which means we need to him to be on the scoresheet.

Latest Max Arfsten Player Prop Odds

Goalscorer

Anytime

+440

First

+1200

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Corners Prediction

Philadelphia To Have Most Corners -115

In ten consecutive home games, Philadelphia have won the Corner Match Bet. We think that the value can be found by backing Philadelphia to have the most corners and we like the odds of -115.

League Games

League Games

Last 10 Total For Against

Last 10 at Home Total For Against

Last 10 Away Total For Against

Philadelphia

Total

9.20 6.00 3.20

Home

10.50 7.50 3.00

Away

9.60 5.60 4.00

Columbus

Total

9.40 5.60 3.80

Home

7.80 5.00 2.80

Away

11.00 5.90 5.10

Latest Corner Odds

Total Corners

Over 9.5

-128

Under 9.5

-111

Philadelphia Corners

Over 4.5

-143

Under 4.5

-100

Columbus Corners

Over 4.5

-111

Under 4.5

-127

Most Corners

1

-115

X

+650

2

+118

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew Odds

The odds and lines below are updated regularly and may differ from the prices shown in our picks, which are captured at the time of publication.

The draw is available at +250 if you believe that this MLS clash will finish level, with Philadelphia Union at +133 and Columbus Crew chalked up at +185 with the bookmakers to secure a win of their own.

For those wanting some insurance backing Philadelphia, taking the -0.25 Asian Handicap option means a half stake return if it’s a draw. There’s -100 that they manage to beat Columbus on this market.

Over 2.5 Goals is available at shorter odds than Under 2.5 Goals as things stand. If both teams to score is something you think will happen, there’s an opportunity to wager Yes at -179 on the BTTS market.

The top football betting sites have excellent coverage for the latest MLS matches. They supply customers with hundreds of markets and it’s down to you to find the best angle.

Full-Time Result

1

+133

X

+250

2

+185

Half-Time Result

1

+180

X

+125

2

+230

Double Chance

1X

-250

12

-345

X2

-175

Draw No Bet

1

-147

2

+102

Asian Handicap

1 Hcp -0.25

-100

2 Hcp +0.25

-130

Total Goals

Under 2.5

+108

Over 2.5

-141

Both Teams to Score

Yes

-179

No

+128

Those interested in favourite Diego Rossi to find the net first can get +525, while the Anytime Goalscorer angle could hold more appeal and this is +190.

Diego Rossi (Columbus)

First

+190

Anytime

+525

Bruno Damiani (Philadelphia)

First

+200

Anytime

+540

Nariman Akhundzade (Columbus)

First

+250

Anytime

+700

Milan Iloski (Philadelphia)

First

+260

Anytime

+700

Dániel Gazdag (Columbus)

First

+300

Anytime

+800

Indiana Vassilev (Philadelphia)

First

+370

Anytime

+1000

Max Arfsten (Columbus)

First

+440

Anytime

+1200

Jovan Lukić (Philadelphia)

First

+480

Anytime

+1300

Danley Jean Jacques (Philadelphia)

First

+700

Anytime

+1800

Dylan Chambost (Columbus)

First

+750

Anytime

+1900

André Gomes (Columbus)

First

+750

Anytime

+2000

Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia)

First

+750

Anytime

+2200

Philadelphia haven’t triumphed in six straight games at Subaru Park. The Union have collected five losses, three draws and two victories in the past 10 home matches, scoring an average of 1.20 goals per game and conceding 0.90.

It’s now been three straight Columbus defeats on the road. The Ohio outfit have collected seven losses, two draws and one victory in the past 10 away matches, scoring an average of 1.30 goals per game and conceding 2.00.

Philadelphia drew 2-2 with Columbus when the sides last met at Subaru Park. The past 7 H2H games at Subaru Park have involved five Philadelphia wins, one Columbus victory and one draw.

Last 10 League Games		W-D-L	G	GF	GA	O2.5	U2.5	B-Y	B-No
Philadelphia Union Home Stats		2-3-5	2.10	1.20	0.90	4	6	3	7
Columbus Crew Away Stats		1-2-7	3.30	1.30	2.00	8	2	8	2

• W-D-L = Wins-Draws-Losses
• G = Avg. Goals
• GF = Avg. Goals For
• GA = Avg. Goals Against
• O2.5 = Matches Over 2.5 Goals
• U2.5 = Matches Under 2.5 Goals
• B-Y = Matches BTTS Yes
• B-No = Matches BTTS No

Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew Lineups & Team News

Be smart with your bets — check the Philadelphia vs Columbus team news beforehand. We’ll keep you posted with predicted and confirmed lineups for the MLS and all current injury news.

Philadelphia Union Team Page Columbus Crew Team Page

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