The New York Red Bulls (9 wins, 6 losses, 6 draws) visit Q2 Stadium Sunday to take on Austin FC (12-4-5). Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Austin FC vs. New York Red Bulls odds and lines, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.
Austin FC has been one of the surprise stories of the season as it enters this weekend with an MLS-leading 42 goals. Austin is led by F Sebastián Driussi, who has a team-best 11 goals. Four other Austin players have at least 4 goals.
Austin has been a fortress at home this season, posting 5 wins and 3 draws in 9 home matches. Its lone home loss was a 1-0 defeat to LA Galaxy. Austin has won 4 of its last 5.
As for the Red Bulls, they’ve slipped in the rankings after a 1-0 loss to rival NYCFC July 17. They sit 3rd in the Eastern Conference and are led by F Lewis Morgan, who has 9 goals on the season.
The Red Bulls are tied for the 3rd-fewest allowed goals in the MLS at 22. Austin isn’t far behind, having allowed just 24. New York is 6-2-3 on the road this season.
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Austin FC vs. New York Red Bulls 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 Saturday at 5:11 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Austin FC +133 (bet $100 to win $133) | New York Red Bulls +195 (bet $100 to win $195) | Draw +255
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
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Prediction
Austin FC 2, New York Red Bulls 0
Money line (ML)
BET AUSTIN FC +133.
Austin FC kicked off the season with 2 home wins and 10 goals, both coming against top-10 Eastern Conference teams. Austin has continued that success.
Austin has won 4 of its last 5 with 2 of those victories by multiple goals. This will be Austin’s 1st matchup against a top-3 East side, but Austin is 5-0-1 against East teams this season.
The Red Bulls struggled and lost to NYCFC a week ago and they also should’ve lost to FC Cincinnati, only salvaging a 1-1 draw by a penalty kick July 9. They also only scored 1 against Sporting KC (the worst team in the West) the match before (July 3).
New York hasn’t been impressive lately, and in a tough environment, I’d bet that continues.
Over/Under (O/U)
LEAN UNDER 2.5 (+105).
The New York offense just hasn’t been there as of late. It has scored 6 goals in its last 7 games. Against the top-3 defenses in the East (Columbus, Philadelphia and NYCFC), it has scored just 2 goals.
It hasn’t scored in 2 matches against the top-4 West defenses. New York has also only allowed multiple goals in 5 games, so it’s defense, led by star D Aaron Long, has held strong.
Austin has gone Under this total in 2 of its last 5. It has a top-tier attack, but against a side that should look to slow things down, I doubt it is able to score more than twice.
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