**A Midwest battle with real stakes** — Cincinnati host Columbus in what's shaping up as a tight, tense affair at TQL Stadium. 🔥

Cincinnati are streaky (1W-2D-2L lately) but dangerous at home, while Columbus come in hot with three wins in their last five. The Crew have historically owned this fixture with a 10-5 edge in head-to-head, but that's exactly the kind of thing Cincinnati will want to flip.

Key storylines:

- **Evander and Denkey** lead Cincinnati's attack looking to bounce back after a 2-3 home loss to New England
- **Columbus's attacking depth** (Martínez, Adams, Farsi in midfield rotation) gives them serious firepower despite missing Abou Ali
- Both teams missing key defenders — Cincinnati without Martínez and Robinson; Columbus without Camacho and Abou Ali — means the back line could get exposed

Expected lineups:

- **FC Cincinnati**: Celentano, Smith, Hadebe, Chirila, Malacia, Hagglund, Valenzuela, Gidi, Bucha, Denkey, Evander
- **Columbus Crew**: Schulte, Zawadzki, Amundsen, Ruvalcaba, Moreira, Méndez, Habroune, Karumanchi, Farsi, Martínez, Adams

Prediction:

**2-2 draw.** Both teams have the offensive tools to break through, but defensive absences on both sides suggest a cagey, end-to-end scrap. Lean toward the split points. ⚪

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