Preview: Monterrey vs FC Cincinnati - prediction, team news, lineups

In a rematch from last year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup, FC Cincinnati will seek some retribution when they host Monterrey on Thursday at TQL Stadium in the opening Leagues Cup fixture for both teams.

At this tournament a year ago, the Mexicans were ousted in the group stage, while Cincinnati were beaten in the round of 16 by the Philadelphia Union (4-2).

Match preview

The 2024 Leagues Cup did not go as Monterrey had anticipated, as they went from a fourth-place finish in 2023 to just a single point in the opening round last year.

Under Domenec Torrent, since May, this side put together a solid showing at the Club World Cup, exiting in the round of 16 to Borussia Dortmund (2-1) and they are one of the teams expected to make a deep run in this competition.

After a rough start to the new Liga MX Apertura campaign, losing their opener 3-0 to Pachuca, Monterrey have recovered nicely, winning their last two league encounters by a combined margin of 4-1.

In two previous appearances at the Leagues Cup, this team have never lost a game when scoring the opening goal, boasting a 100% record when doing so.

Last year, they failed to concede a single goal at this tournament in the opening half but were only able to find the back of the net once themselves.

Rayados are 2-0 all-time against Cincinnati, winning both matches of their last 16 Champions Cup tie in 2024, including a 1-0 triumph at TQL Stadium.

FC Cincinnati enter this tournament in a familiar position from years past, in the thick of the race for the Supporters’ Shield crown in MLS.

With nine regular-season matches remaining, they find themselves just a single point below the Philadelphia Union for first overall and enter this competition on a three-match unbeaten run.

Since suffering a 4-2 defeat in the Hell is Real Derby against their arch-rivals the Columbus Crew, Pat Noonan’s men have not conceded a single goal in three successive encounters.

They are undefeated in the Leagues Cup group phase, while they did not drop a single point at that stage of the competition a year ago.

Cincy have emerged victorious in two of their previous three home contests but lost their last Leagues Cup affair at TQL Stadium in the round of 16 to the Philadelphia Union.

The Orange and Blue have a 100% record versus Liga MX opposition in this tournament, conceding just one goal in those two matches.

Monterrey form (all competitions):

FC Cincinnati form (all competitions):

Team News

Monterrey brought in one new face to their starting 11 from matchday two to three of the new Apertura season, with Gerardo Arteaga coming into the fold for Luis Reyes.

German Berterame netted a hat trick in their 3-1 come-from-behind win over Atlas last weekend, in a match where Ricardo Chavez was given a straight red card but will still be eligible to play in this game.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati played their game with Inter Miami last Saturday (0-0 draw) without Paul Walters who had a sore foot, while Obinna Nwobodo was sidelined with a quad strain.

Also out of the fold was Yuya Kubo, who had a problem with his ankle, and Kevin Denkey was sidelined as he is dealing with a leg injury.

Monterrey possible starting lineup:

Mele; Guzman, Ramos, Medina; Chavez, Torres, Ambriz, Arteaga; Corona, Canales, Berterame

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:

Celentano; Robinson, Miazga, Hadebe; Yedlin, Bucha, Anunga, Orellano; Evander; Santos, Valenzuela

We say: Monterrey 1-0 FC Cincinnati

These are two strong defensive units that are capable of containing the best attacking sides in North America, though Monterrey are not as short-handed as the latter, which may make the difference on Thursday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.