The Philadelphia Union welcome New York City FC to Subaru Park Sunday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
The Union are coming off a disappointing draw with FC Cincinnati. What’s more concerning is that FCC controlled the match despite being on the road. FCC had 55% possession and 4 more shots.
Philadelphia will look to bounce back, having fallen to 4th place on the Eastern Conference table. They’re still tied with NYCFC for the fewest goals allowed in the MLS at 11.
NYCFC have been dominant at home, but are just 2-2-1 on the road. They had an 8-game stretch earlier in the season, 6 of which were at home and 7 of which resulted in a win.
That’s helped jolt them to first in the conference. They have a league-high 8 clean sheets and have allowed the fewest shots against in the league. NYCFC haven’t lost since April 2.
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Philadelphia Union 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 2:13 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Philadelphia Union +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | New York City FC +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Draw +225
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -103 | U: -117)
[tipico]
Prediction
Philadelphia Union 1, New York City FC 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN DRAW +240.
NYCFC hasn’t lost in almost 3 months, and after Phiiladellphia’s latest performance, I don’t have much confidence that’s going to change.
However, at the same time, NYCFC isn’t nearly as dominant on the road. Their most recent outing was a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United at Allianz Field.
Philadelphia won 5 of its first 6 games. In its last 8, it’s drawn 7, an extremely uncommon streak, but what that should tell bettors is that they play to the level of their opponent.
Those draws include 1 against the West’s top team, LAFC, and another against the 2nd-best team in the East, the New York Red Bulls.
Considering NYCFC’s struggles on the road along with Philadelphia’s ability to play to the level of their opponent, the DRAW +225 is my favorite play on the money line.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (-117).
Philadelphia has only gone over this total 3 times this year. In 2 of those 3 matches, their opponents scored 3 combined goals yet had just 0.8 expected goals. NYCFC has gone under this total in 6 straight games.
The Union’s defense is among the best in the MLS, as is NYCFC’s. Both teams have a top-notch keeper as well. Philadelphia ranks No. 1 in save rate and No. 9 in shots against while NYCFC sits 1st and 5th in those respective categories.
Philadelphia also only has 20 goals in 15 games, and they’ve yet to allow multiple goals in a game to their opponent while at home.
Combine it all, and the UNDER 2.5 (-117) is my favorite bet in this game.
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