Columbus Crew II vs New York RB II: match statistics

Columbus Crew II boast a very strong home record: they win 78% of their matches, remain unbeaten at home, and score an average of 2.11 goals per game. New York RB II score just 1.20 goals away from home, concede 1.80, and lose 40% of such matches; moreover, the visitors have kept no clean sheets. The difference is also reflected in their current form: the hosts have collected 8 points from their last five matches, while the New York side have managed just 1, losing four of those five games and conceding as many as 14 goals. Crew II also register more shots on target at home (5.44 versus 4.60) and are significantly more clinical, converting 16% of their attempts compared with 9% for their opponents. Although the visitors’ away xG stands at 1.57, home advantage, the hosts’ more reliable defence conceding an average of 1.00 goal, and RB II’s disastrous recent trend all clearly point towards a Columbus victory.

BTTS - Yes is supported by both teams’ strong season figures: Columbus Crew II have landed it in 64% of matches, while New York RB II have done so in as many as 80%, compared with the league average of 62%. The hosts score an average of 2.64 goals, while the visitors concede 1.80 goals per match and have kept no clean sheets. Columbus have conceded 1.60 goals across their last five matches, and their defensive xG against stands at 1.84, giving the visitors a realistic route to finding the net despite their lower average of 0.80 goals over this period. On the other hand, New York RB II have recently conceded as many as 2.80 goals per match, while Columbus have scored 10 goals in their last five outings and are creating an average of 1.60 xG. The most likely scenario is therefore a goal for both sides, primarily due to the hosts’ very strong attack and the visitors’ clear defensive problems.

Columbus Crew II average 2.64 goals at home, while New York RB II concede 1.80 away from home, which strongly supports a high-scoring output from the hosts. In their last five matches, the visitors have conceded as many as 2.8 goals per game, while Columbus have scored 2.0 goals. The 1.5-goal line has been surpassed in 100% of the league matches involving both teams, while over 2.5 goals have landed in 91% of Columbus matches and 80% of New York RB II matches. The chance-quality indicators are also offensive: the hosts’ average xG is 1.99 and the visitors’ 1.57, providing a basis for a forecast of 3.55 goals. The strongest signal remains Over 1.5 goals, as even with weaker finishing from the visitors, the New York RB II defence regularly allows opponents to create numerous chances.

Columbus Crew II have a clear attacking advantage: they score an average of 2.64 goals per match compared with New York RB II’s 1.20, while their xG stands at 1.99 versus the opponents’ 1.57. The home side were leading at the break in 45% of their matches, compared with just 20% for the visitors; over the last five games, these figures are 80% and 20%, respectively. The New York side lost 80% of their last five matches, conceded an average of 2.8 goals during that period and recorded no wins, while Columbus scored 2.0 goals per match. After the break, Crew II still have strong arguments for maintaining their advantage, as they score an average of 1.64 goals in second halves and their opponents finish 60% of such periods without scoring. The most likely scenario is therefore for Columbus to be leading at half-time and to secure the full-time win, making the HT/FT pick 1/1.