Columbus Crew vs. DC United – MLS, May 8, 2021

Following back-to-back goalless draws, the Crew will be confident in securing their first MLS win of the 2021 season when DC United visits Ohio on Saturday, May 8.

DC kicked off the Hernan Losada era with an impressive victory over New York City, but two subsequent defeats quickly brought the Black-and-Red back down to earth.

In this Columbus Crew vs. DC United betting preview, I discuss the betting odds for Saturday’s clash, provide analysis of both sides, and share my prediction and pick.

Well, it’s safe to say that the bookmakers haven’t sprung any surprises with their Columbus Crew vs. DC United odds.

As you would expect, the defending MLS Cup champion is the obvious favorite to win this one, leaving DC United as the rank outsider.

Let’s take a closer look at the teams.

By their high standards, Caleb Porter’s men have made a below-par start to the 2021 campaign. So, they will be eager to lay down a marker this weekend.

The Crew’s year began with an impressive 5-0 aggregate victory over Real Esteli in the CONCACAF Champions League. Despite their best efforts, they were knocked out of the CCL by Mexican giant Monterrey on Wednesday.

On the opening weekend of the MLS season, Columbus sealed a goalless draw with the Union.

However, the Ohio outfit put in a concerning performance against Montreal last weekend. The Canadians dominated possession and racked up 20 shots, while Porter’s men failed to register a single attempt on target.

We all know that the Columbus roster is stacked with attacking quality. If guys like Gyasi Zardes, Pedro Santos, and Bradley Wright-Phillips click into gear, the Crew should start thrashing their opponents.

DC fans must have thought they were in dreamland on the opening weekend. I mean, who would have thought that Losada’s side would beat NYCFC 2-1? I certainly didn’t!

The Black-and-Red produced a battling display against New England in Week 2, only to lose 1-0. But last time out, DC returned to their old ways.

Losada’s men were crushed 4-1 by San Jose, conceding three goals before half-time. Encouragingly, they managed to chalk up 18 shots in California. But Tony Alfaro was the only DC player that was able to get on the scoresheet.

Having won just five of their 23 matches last term, the five-time MLS Cup champs would have been brimming with belief after their opening-day victory. However, that belief has already turned into despair.

Following a thrashing at the hands of the Quakes, it looks like being another difficult year for the Red-and-Black.

There’s a reason why the best online sports betting sites view Columbus as the clear favorite to claim all three points on Saturday. After all, the reigning MLS Cup champions are on a completely different level to DC United.

Having made a shaky start to the new campaign, I’m backing Porter’s men to assert their dominance over DC and register a statement victory on home soil.