Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew: Predictions, Betting Odds, Lineups, Preview

League	Date	Match	Score	Venue
Major League Soccer	26 Apr 2026	Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union	2 – 0	Historic Crew Stadium
Major League Soccer	29 Jun 2025	Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union	1 – 0	Lower.com Field
Major League Soccer	11 May 2025	Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew	2 – 2	Subaru Park
Major League Soccer	06 Oct 2024	Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union	3 – 2	Lower.com Field
Major League Soccer	29 Aug 2024	Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew	0 – 1	Subaru Park

Philadelphia Union come into this one on the back of a mixed run, but they have been competitive enough at home to suggest they can make this a tight contest. Columbus Crew have already beaten Philadelphia Union 2-0 in the recent head-to-head and have the more convincing recent win in that matchup, yet their own form has also included two straight defeats. With no xG data available, the clearest read is that this could be decided by small margins rather than sustained control.

Philadelphia Union’s 4-4-2 gives them a straightforward shape with two forwards to keep Columbus Crew’s back line occupied and midfield runners to support from deeper areas. Columbus Crew’s own 4-4-2 should keep the game balanced, but their recent results suggest they have been more vulnerable when matches open up. Match Prediction: Philadelphia Union 2-1 Columbus Crew

Form Guide & Team Overview

Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union’s recent league form shows a side that has been hard to beat in stretches but has struggled to turn draws into wins. Their last five league matches include one loss, two draws and two more draws before that, with the most recent home outing ending 0-0 against Nashville SC.

The bigger concern is that they have lost two of their last three, including the 1-2 defeat away to New England and the 0-2 loss away to Columbus Crew. Even so, the 3-3 draw away to Toronto shows they can still find goals, which keeps them in the conversation for a competitive home performance.

Philadelphia Union Last 5 Results

League	Date	Match	Score	Result	Venue
Major League Soccer	9 May 2026	New England vs Philadelphia Union	2 – 1	L	Gillette Stadium
Major League Soccer	2 May 2026	Philadelphia Union vs Nashville SC	0 – 0	D	Subaru Park
Major League Soccer	25 Apr 2026	Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union	2 – 0	L	Historic Crew Stadium
Major League Soccer	22 Apr 2026	Toronto vs Philadelphia Union	3 – 3	D	BMO Field
Major League Soccer	18 Apr 2026	Philadelphia Union vs DC United	0 – 0	D	Subaru Park

Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew’s recent league form is less stable, with two defeats in their last two matches and three losses in their last five. They were beaten 0-3 away to New York City after a 2-3 home loss to Minnesota United, which points to a side that has been conceding too many goals.

Before that dip, they did beat Philadelphia Union 2-0 at home and also saw off LA Galaxy 2-1, so there is still evidence of a team capable of producing results. The issue is consistency, and the recent run suggests they have not been able to sustain that level across consecutive matches.

Columbus Crew Last 5 Results

League	Date	Match	Score	Result	Venue
Major League Soccer	10 May 2026	New York City vs Columbus Crew	3 – 0	L	Yankee Stadium
Major League Soccer	2 May 2026	Columbus Crew vs Minnesota United	2 – 3	L	Historic Crew Stadium
Major League Soccer	25 Apr 2026	Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union	2 – 0	W	Historic Crew Stadium
Major League Soccer	23 Apr 2026	Columbus Crew vs LA Galaxy	2 – 1	W	Historic Crew Stadium
Major League Soccer	18 Apr 2026	New England vs Columbus Crew	2 – 1	L	Gillette Stadium

Team News & Injury Report

Philadelphia Union

• Jesús Bueno (Ankle Injury)

Columbus Crew

• Jamal Thiaré (Calf Injury)

Lineups & Tactical Setup

Philadelphia Union (4-4-2)

Predicted lineup: Andre Blake (Goalkeeper), Frankie Westfield (Defender), Geiner Martínez (Defender), Nathan Harriel (Defender), Olwethu Makhanya (Defender), Cavan Sullivan (Midfielder), Danley Jean Jacques (Midfielder), Indiana Vassilev (Midfielder), Jovan Lukić (Midfielder), Ezekiel Alladoh (Attacker), Milan Iloski (Attacker)

Philadelphia Union’s predicted 4-4-2 should give them a compact base, with the wide midfielders helping to support both the full-backs and the two strikers. That shape can also allow Ezekiel Alladoh and Milan Iloski to stay close enough to combine quickly if Philadelphia Union win the ball in central areas.

Columbus Crew (4-4-2)

Predicted lineup: Patrick Schulte (Goalkeeper), Andrés Herrera (Defender), Rudy Camacho (Defender), Sean Zawadzki (Defender), Steven Moreira (Defender), André Gomes (Midfielder), Dylan Chambost (Midfielder), Hugo Picard (Midfielder), Max Arfsten (Midfielder), Diego Rossi (Attacker), Taha Habroune (Attacker)

Columbus Crew’s predicted 4-4-2 offers a similar balance, with Diego Rossi and Taha Habroune providing the main threat up front. The midfield four should help them stay organised, but they will need clean service into the forwards to make the shape count.

Key Battles & Players to Watch