FC Cincinnati vs Monterrey - Champions Cup preview: TV channel, team news, lineups and prediction | OneFootball

FC Cincinnati welcome Liga MX giants Monterrey to TQL Stadium for the first leg of their round of 16 tie in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

The hosts conquered Jamaican side Cavalier SC in the first round of the competition, winning 6-0 on aggregate to progress to the next phase of the Champions Cup. Pat Noonan's squad have enjoyed a solid start in MLS, too, picking up four out of seven points possible as they hope to repeat as Supporters' Shield winners.

On the other side, Rayados have stormed to the top of the 2024 Clausura table with 22 points from 10 games played in Liga MX. Brandon Vazquez, who's set to return to Cincinnati to face his former club on Thursday night, has managed an impressive six goals in 10 appearances after joining during the winter transfer window. Monterrey made light work of Guatemalan side Comunicaciones FC, triumphing 7-1 on aggregate.

Here's 90min's preview of the first leg between Rayados and the Orange and Blue.

What time does FC Cincinnati vs Monterrey kick-off?

FC Cincinnati vs Monterrey H2H Record (Last Five Games)

This is the first-ever meeting between FC Cincinnati and Monterrey.

Current Form (all competitions)

How to watch FC Cincinnati vs Monterrey on TV and live stream

FC Cincinnati team news

Hagglund is a doubt for FC Cincinnati / Jeff Dean/GettyImages

Noonan won't have as much depth as he'd like in his backline, with Kipp Keller and Nick Hagglund set to miss the clash through injury. Keller is recovering from a concussion while Hagglund has suffered a setback with a hamstring problem. Backup goalkeeper Alec Kann is in the treatment room with a hand injury and is expected to return to the Cincinnati bench later this month.

Evan Louro is set to take on backup goalkeeper duties, while the likes of Matt Miazga, Miles Robinson and Ian Murphy will more than likely feature from the jump in the backline.

The Orange and Blue traded for USMNT full-back DeAndre Yedlin earlier this week and don't be shocked to see the veteran player slot straight into the right-wing back position.

FC Cincinnati predicted lineup vs Monterrey (3-4-1-2): Schulte; Robinson, Miazga, Murphy; Yedlin, Nwobodo, Bucha, Orellano; Baird, Boupendza.

Reports surfaced earlier this week claiming Victor Guzman is set to miss the clash against Cincinnati, with Tony Leone expected to take his place in the starting XI. The 19-year-old joined over the offseason from MLS giants LAFC and has yet to make an appearance for Rayados.

Jordi Cortizo and Cesar Bustor are both doubts for the game, with the latter dealing with a muscle problem.

Vazquez played 81 minutes last time out against Pumas in which he bagged his sixth goal across all competitions for Monterrey. Despite playing nearly the entire game, you can expect to see Vazquez in the starting XI for Fernando 'Tano' Ortiz's side as he doesn't want to miss the clash against his former club.

Monterrey predicted lineup vs FC Cincinnati (4-4-2): Andrada; Aguirre, Leone, Moreno, Arteaga; Corona, Rodriguez, Canales, Meza; Berterame, Vazquez.

FC Cincinnati vs Monterrey score prediction

It'll be a tough test for Cincinnati, as Rayados will enter the tie as favorites to progress to the quarterfinals.

Reigning MLS MVP Lucho Acosta will be a danger throughout, but there's a reason Monterrey are top of the Liga MX Clausura table. They'll take a narrow victory to the Estadio BBVA before hosting the return leg on March 14.