Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati Odds & Prediction – MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinals

• Philadelphia Union host FC Cincinnati in the MLS Cup Playoffs on Thursday, October 20th at 8:00 pm ET
• It’s the first seed taking on the fifth in the Eastern Conference semifinals
• Read on for Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati odds, a full preview and best bets for this match

After first-round byes, the top seeds in each conference enter the fray in the conference semifinal stage of the MLS postseason. In the East, that means a first appearance for the Philadelphia Union, who just missed out on another Supporters’ Shield courtesy of a tie-breaker, while finishing two points clear of second-placed CF Montreal.

They’ll have their hands full against one of the Cinderella stories of this year’s postseason. FC Cincinnati, fresh off an upset win at New York Red Bulls last weekend, now hopes to extend their first-ever MLS Cup Playoffs to a third match. But the oddsmakers for the MLS Cup odds remain unimpressed, ranking the Orange and Blue dead last among the eight remaining teams in this year’s postseason.

Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati Odds

Odds as of October 20th at Caesars Sportsbook. Check out these Caesars Sportsbook bonus code before betting these odds.

Over/Under and Spread

As befits a matchup featuring two of the top four attacks in MLS – which scored a combined 136 goals –Over 2.5 goals is favored here, with it attracting odds of -150 versus +120 for the under. And it’s the same odds for the Union to win on the spread too, with Philly listed at -150 at -0.5 vs +120 for Cincy at +0.5.

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Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati Preview

Based on results in the opening round, Philly should be glad it managed to secure home-field advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. Five of the six teams to advance were playing at home last weekend, and since the straight single-game elimination was introduced in 2019, the home team has won 31 of 47 postseason matches (66%). On top of that, Philly was the only team in MLS to avoid defeat at home, going 12-5-0 at Subaru Park.

📊 @PhilaUnion has won 10 straight games at home.

They haven't lost at Subaru Park since last December.

▪️13 wins.
▪️5 draws.
▪️5 goals scored.
▪️9 goals against.
▪️They haven't allowed more than 1 goal in that span.#MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/lmC6baWLdV

— dataref (@dataref_) October 19, 2022

Of course, the one team to buck that trend in the opening round was FC Cincinnati courtesy of their 2-1 come-from-behind win at Red Bull Arena, so make of that trend what you will.

Wild stat to underpin the chaotic, unpredictable nature of the MLS Cup Playoffs: Just one single No. 1 seed in either conference has even made MLS Cup in the last 10 years. One of 20 top seeds in the last decade!

LAFC, Philadelphia Union look to break that trend in 2022.

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) October 19, 2022

Philadelphia Gong Show

With the Union enjoying a record-setting season, scoring a league-high 72 goals and conceding a league-low 26, it’s to be expected that some of their players would be rewarded for their efforts. Two of the more key members of that watertight defense were honored for their showings on Wednesday, with Andre Blake winning Goalkeeper of the Year for the third time, and Jakob Glesnes being named Defender of the Year. The pair played every minute of every game for Philly this year and were vital to a defense that set the MLS mark for the fewest goals conceded in a 34-game season.

MLS Awards:

– Philadelphia Union GK Andre Blake wins MLS Goalkeeper of the Year
– Philadelphia Union CB Jakob Glesnes wins MLS Defender of the Year

This is Blake's 3rd (!) GKotY. Glesnes edged out teammate Kai Wagner for DPoY. Union conceded fewest goals in MLS in 2022. pic.twitter.com/nKNAYyNOzx

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) October 19, 2022

On top of that, while both helped Philly notch a league-high 15 clean sheets, they were also particularly stingy at home, with the Union being the only team to let in fewer than 10 goals at home, with Blake picking the ball out of his net on just nine occasions.

Vazquez Finds His Groove

As part of one of the more prolific strike partnerships in MLS, Brandon Vazquez carried over the form that saw him score 18 regular-season goals and eight assists into the playoff opener last weekend, finding the net for the winning goal against New York.

But then Philly already knows all about his talents. The American forward scored against the Union in both regular-season matchups this year, the first a 1-1 draw at Subaru Park, before Cincy grabbed a 3-1 win at home on August 6, the team’s first-ever win against the Union.

.@fccincinnati have advanced to their first Eastern Conference Semifinal in club history as Brandon Vázquez (@Brvndonv) scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute, after recording 18 goals in the regular season. pic.twitter.com/WfgUVn0xI5

— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) October 15, 2022

Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati Head-to-Head

In the all-time series, the Union holds a decided advantage with five wins to Cincy’s one, with two draws between the sides. And while Philly has brought much of the offense, with 13 goals to Cincy’s five, midfielder Paxten Aaronson has proved a thorn in the Lions’ side, scoring three teams against them.

Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati League Stats

Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati Team Lineups and Injuries

Philadelphia Union Projected Lineup: Blake; Wagner, Glesnes, Elliott, Harriel; McGlynn, Martinez, Flach; Gazdag; Carranza, Uhre

Injuries: Bedoya

FC Cincinnati Projected Lineup: Celentano; Miazga, Cameron, Hagglund, Murphy; Kubo; Moreno, Nwobodo, Acosta; Brenner, Vazquez

Injuries: Sunderland, Vermeer

Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati Prediction

After a record-setting season, and with some of the best players in MLS available to them, it’s tough to see Philly suffering their first home loss of 2022 against a team enjoying its first-ever foray into the postseason, even one with gifted players such as Vazquez and strike partner Brenner.

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Pick: Philadelphia Union (-145)