Crew Rd 7, Home vs NY Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls are in town this evening to take on the Columbus Crew. Weather is going to be on the cool side over off Hudson Street today so another week you've got to bundle up! Kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM EST.

 GAME NOTES 
CLB: Have saved 3 pts (of 11 total) with goals after 90 mins
CLB: Anor out (RC), Meram likely to start
CLB: Hot start is getting further away
NYR: Beat up on Dynamo midweek 4-0
NYR: Henry might not be making trip
NYR: Cahill could return to lineup

 TEN MATCH PREDICTIONS 
Percent on left is accuracy in predicting result of Columbus Crew games only.

50% WIN DRAW WIN ... DRAW (NY LEAN)
Got our first split of the year from this outlet. Wiseguys like a 2-2 Draw but the "Your Vote" section has NY edging out the Crew (37% to 28%, draw at 34%).

33% COLUMBUS DISPATCH ... DRAW
Adam Jardy looks at recent results and thinks this one will come out even. Lots of NHL stuff in the paper today, so if that's your thing, head out and pick up a paper!

33% GOAL.COM ... NY RED BULLS
No name listed on the match preview today but whoever it is comes out strong for NY. "Another strong showing would likely be enough to pick up points against a Columbus team that has struggled of late."

33% WHOSCORED.COM ... DRAW (NY LEAN)
Graham Ruthven back on the scene today to tell us NY "should pick up three points at Columbus, but we've been saying that all season." Ultimately, going with a 1-1 draw.

17% BET365 ... COLUMBUS CREW
Crew are favored again here today but the bettors out there seem to be getting off the Columbus train. 23/20 Crew, 12/5 Draw, 23/10 NY.

17% HOME TEAM ... COLUMBUS CREW
Columbus' home record not something to be desired.

17% MLSSOCCER ... COLUMBUS CREW
Team over at MLS HQ still all in with the Crew. Five of the six actually going with the home side today. Only one thinking somethings up in Matt Doyle, who picks Draw.

0% TABLE POSITION ... COLUMBUS CREW
Crew have the edge on NY still. That could actually change today.

0% WV HOOLIGAN ... DRAW
"Look for this one to be physical as well, but ultimately ending in a draw," says site scribe Drew Epperley.

n/a% MASSIVE REPORT ... no pick
Head on over to Pat Murphy's preview to found out which NY player Michael Parkhurst likes.

 MY THOUGHTS, HOW IT WILL PLAY 

Best player in MLS history

Much more important match for the Crew than it is for the Red Bulls today. A loss for the home side would mean 4 pts in 4 at Crew Stadium to start the year - bad form at home dooms MLS teams to bottom half.

A lot of people picking a draw today and I'm thinking that comes from the feeling we have one team on the rise and another slumping. Humans don't like to change their perceptions of things until they are forced too. Most out there still see the Crew as probably something they are not and on the other side see NY as a team that they are hesitant to call a winner even though they are in form and have, quite possibly, the best MLS player in history playing for them.

If Thierry Henry plays tonight it might be a long one for the Crew. Tim Cahill doesn't really impact the match as much but having both of them out doesn't make things any easier. On Wednesday NY looked scary good and they usually play well in Columbus.

If Berhalter starts Dominic Oduro or Justin Meram in the midfield for suspended Bernardo Anor we will probably see a fast paced open match, which is one that sort of favors NY.

We see. Stay warm out there Crew fans that aren't watching the Blue Jackets and aren't there just for the dollar night specials, and not there for the college discounted tickets, and not there just to get drunk in the supporters' section...

- wait, how many does that leave actually watching the game?