MLS playoffs: Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC odds and lines, with MLS picks and predictions.

The No. 1 Philadelphia Union host No. 3 New York City FC at Subaru Park Sunday. Kickoff of the Eastern Conference final is set for 3 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we preview Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC odds, and make our best MLS bets, picks and predictions.

The Union are coming into this game following a 1-0 win over FC Cincinnati at home, a game they were outplayed in, but saved by heroics from GK Andre Blake.

Philadelphia’s strength is in its defense, having allowed just 26 goals this season. During the regular season, it beat NYCFC in both battles, a 2-1 win at home and 2-0 win on the road.

As for NYCFC, it has had a more complicated season as it no longer has star F Valentín Castellanos, who still has the most goals on the team this season with 13. That said, it has made its way through though with wins over Inter Miami and CF Montreal, scoring 3 goals in each and allowing just 1 goal to the high-octane Montreal attack.

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Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 11:16 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Philadelphia Union -114 (bet $114 to win $100) | New York City FC +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | Draw +270
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -120 | U: -101)

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Prediction

Philadelphia Union 1, New York City FC 0

Moneyline (ML)

LEAN PHILADELPHIA UNION (-114).

The Union are a well-balanced team and have proven that time and time again. They rank No. 1 in the MLS in save percentage, clean sheets and interceptions.

Offensively, it ranked No. 1 in shooting percentage and 3rd in shots on target. Those numbers, and having posted a 12-0-5 home record, combine to make betting Philadelphia the wise play.

Also, NYCFC beat Montreal 3-1, but it had fewer expected goals, losing that battle 2.9 to 1.8. Play that game again, and the outcome may have been different.

Montreal was weak defensively all season, as was Inter Miami. NYCFC is going to meet a team that is elite on both sides of the pitch, and considering that, I’d back the Union to win in regulation.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET UNDER 2.5 (-101).

While NYCFC dominated its 2 games so far, Philadelphia is a different beast and has strong, capable defenders.

They have pitched 4 clean sheets in its last 6 games and have allowed just 1.2 expected goals in its last 2 matches. FC Cincinnati was 1 of the most dynamic attacks in the East, having scored the 2nd-most goals in the conference. The Union, behind Blake, didn’t allow a single goal.

NYCFC has a good defense as well, allowing just 41 goals in 34 matches. With the Union having scored 8 goals in 6 matches against the other 3 top-4 defenses in the East, I would expect a low-scoring battle.

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Want action on this contest or any other soccer matches? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

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Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC odds and lines, with MLS picks and predictions.

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.

Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.

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.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

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MLS: New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union sports betting odds and lines, with MLS betting picks, tips and best bets.

New York City FC (0 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws) takes on Philadelphia Union (0-1-1) Thursday at 9 a.m. ET in the “MLS is Back Tournament” in the bubble at the Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. We analyze the New York City FC-Philadelphia Union sports betting odds and lines, while providing MLS betting tips and picks around this matchup from BetMGM sportsbook.

New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union: Key injuries

New York City FC

  • MF Nicolas Acevedo (coronavirus travel restrictions) available

Philadelphia Union

  • F Cory Burke (travel restrictions) out

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New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union: MLS odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 4:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Philadelphia Union 2, New York City FC 1

Moneyline (ML)

New York City FC (+135) was dropped 1-0 in each of its first two matches, showing off a lack of offense but tremendous defense and goalkeeping. PHILADELPHIA UNION (+180) is the better value here, as it found the back of the net three times in the first two games of the regular season while allowing five goals. Union’s lack of defense shouldn’t be an issue here against a New York side which is still looking for its first goal of 2020. A “Double Chance” bet taking Philadelphia or Tie (-176) might also be worth a small-unit wager if you’re just looking to dip your toe into the MLS betting pool and not get crazy until you get a bit of a preview.

A winning $10 wager on Philadelphia (+180) fetches a profit of $18.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 3.5 (-167) will cost you a bit of a pretty penny, and in normal times it might be a bit worrisome considering Philly’s lack of defense in the first two matches. However, we have a 9 a.m. ET start, as MLS scheduled games in the early morning or evening in Orlando to limit the exposure to the scorching hot Central Florida sun and weather issues. But teams might be a bit sluggish offensively, rolling out of bed and playing meaningful games. Look for a slow offensive start for both ends.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet with BetMGM today. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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