MLS playoffs: New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati odds and lines, with MLS picks and predictions.

In the first round of the MLS Playoffs, the New York Red Bulls (15 wins, 11 losses, 8 draws) welcome FC Cincinnati (12-9-13) to Red Bull Arena. Kickoff is set for noon ET. Below, we preview Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati odds, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.

With the top seed in each conference getting a bye, this will be the No. 4 seed hosting the No. 5 seed with the chance to play the top-seeded Philadelphia Union (19-5-10) on the line.

These played twice in the regular season, both resulting in a 1-1 draw. They split the two games in terms of expected goals as both played better as the home side.

FCC is spearheaded by captain M Luciano Acosta, who has 10 goals 12 assists on the season. Offensively, it is F Brenner and F Brandon Vazquez, who did the heavy lifting, both scoring 18 goals this season.

The Red Bulls were led by F Lewis Morgan, who tallied 14 goals. No other New York player had more than 5 goals. They are certainly a defensive-heavy club, allowing just 1.21 goals per game.

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New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati odds

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:04 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: New York Red Bulls +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | FC Cincinnati +250 (bet $100 to win $250) | Draw +250
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Prediction

New York Red Bulls 2, FC Cincinnati 1 (full time draw)

Moneyline (ML)

LEAN DRAW (+250).

How can you not love a draw here? For this value, it is great. These teams drew both matches during the regular season, and FC Cincinnati has proven time and time again that it plays to the level of its opponent.

New York doesn’t have a lethal attack either, averaging just 1.47 goals per game. Its defense is solid, but it doesn’t have an attack that generates goals often. The Red Bulls drew 5 games at home this season.

FCC has been a drawing machine for the last few weeks of the season, and it almost killed its playoff hopes in the end. Cincy drew 12 of its last 20 games, a remarkable amount.

Considering that and the limited attack for Red Bulls that should slow the game, I’d back the full-time DRAW.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET UNDER 2.5 (-112).

This full-time Under 2.5 has value, mainly due to the way the Red Bulls play. Both games this season also went Under this total with neither team exceeding 2.0 expected goals in either battle.

The Red Bulls had the 3rd-fewest shots against them in the MLS this season. Their defense is the real deal and should be able to calm a quick FCC attack.

Against the top-4 defensive teams in the East, FCC was 3-5 O/U this total. I’ll back UNDER 2.5 (-112) here.

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