FC Cincinnati will welcome Sporting Kansas City to the TQL Stadium for their opening game of the 2023 Leagues Cup on Sunday.
The hosts are coming into the game on the back of a 3-1 comeback victory over Nashville SC at the same venue in the MLS last week. Walter Zimmerman put the visitors ahead in the 31st minute but Luciano Acosta leveled matters 11 minutes later. Second-half goals from Santiago Arias and Aaron Boupendza helped the hosts claim all three points.
Sporting Kansas City, meanwhile, fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Austin FC. All three goals came in the first half, with Gyasi Zardes and Ethan Finlay scoring for the home side, while Daniel Rosero halved the deficit.
Guadalajara Chivas are the third team in Group 6 of the Leagues Cup.
FC Cincinnati have been dominant in front of their fans, having gone 15 games without defeat at home. This puts them in good stead in the tournament, with home advantage offering them the opportunity to set the pace in the group.
Sporting Kansas City, on the other hand, have struggled for consistency on their travels. However, they have a good record against Cincinnati, winning the last game on this same ground.
Both sides are attack-minded and love to play on the front foot. But we are backing FC Cincinnati to claim the win with goals at both ends.
Prediction: FC Cincinnati 3-1 Sporting Kansas City
Tip 1 - FC Cincinnati to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals
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