The New York Red Bulls (9 wins, 5 losses, 6 draws) welcome NYCFC (10-4-5) to Red Bull Arena Sunday. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
New York City FC sits 2nd in the Eastern Conference, 4 points back and 2 games behind the Philadelphia Union. Having allowed just 21 goals, NYCFC is tied for the 2nd-best defense in the East. They’re tied with the Red Bulls.
While NYCFC has been unstoppable at home, they have won just 3 of 8 road matches with a 3-3-2 away record. NYCFC is led by F Valentín Castellanos with 12 goals this season.
The Red Bulls are led by 25-year-old Scottish F Lewis Morgan, who has 9 goals. Four other players have scored at least 3.
New York is 3-2-4 at home this season, also relying heavily on its elite defense. The Red Bulls didn’t play well against NYCFC last season, posting a 0-2-1 record. This will be the 1st of just 2 meetings this season (next match is Sept. 17).
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New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC odds, lines, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:32 a.m. ET.
- Money line: New York Red Bulls +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | NYCFC +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Draw +255
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)
[tipico]
Prediction
NYCFC 2, New York Red Bulls 1
Money line (ML)
BET NYCFC +180.
The Red Bulls have a solid record, but their recent performances haven’t lived up to standard. They should’ve lost to FC Cincinnati but were saved by a penalty kick. They beat Sporting KC 1-0 in their 2nd-to-last game despite having fewer expected goals.
Their last 3 games have been to teams in the East outside of the playoff picture, and their only game of the season at home against a playoff team was a 2-1 loss to Montreal.
NYCFC has won 2 of their last 3 matches, doubling their opponents’ expected goals in 2 of the 3 matches. They’ve also won 3 of their last 5 road matches.
NYCFC is a formidable side that has had 6 shutouts in their last 11 games. They should be able to get the best of the Red Bulls Sunday.
Over/Under (O/U)
LEAN OVER 2.5 (-125).
NYCFC has had 1 of the best defenses in the MLS, but it hasn’t been at the same level as of late and that should concern bettors. They’ve allowed 10 goals in their last 5 matches.
In those 5 matches, they’ve scored 12, so their offense has been red-hot lately, something to also consider. The Red Bulls have scored 11 goals in their last 4 matches.
They’ve also allowed over a goal per match despite being one of the East’s better defensive teams. With both teams reeling defensively and thriving offensively, I’ll take the Over 2.5 (-125) here.
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