NYCFC welcomes the New York Red Bulls to Citi Field Saturday for the MLS Eastern Conference Playoffs semifinal. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s soccer odds around the NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls odds, and make our best MLS picks and predictions.
The Red Bulls closed out the regular season as the 7th seed in the East and were led by F Lewis Morgan, who netted 13 goals in 29 matches. They finished the season with a +5 goal differential, tallying 55 goals and allowing 50. New York is coming off a 2-2 home draw with the Columbus Crew Nov. 3; it won 5-4 on penalty kicks to advance. It beat the Crew 1-0 on the road in the game prior (Oct. 29).
NYCFC took down third-seeded FC Cincinnati, beating it 3-1 at home Nov. 3 and then following that up with a 0-0 road draw Nov. 9, eventually downing Cincinnati 6-5 on penalty kicks. It did lose 1-0 on the road in the first game of the series Oct. 28. NYCFC finished the regular season 6th in the East and with a +5 goal differential as well, having scored 54 and allowed 49. It is led by F Alonso Martinez, who has scored 16 goals in 26 matches.
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NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of soccer odds. Lines last updated at 10:55 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: NYCFC +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | New York Red Bulls +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Draw +240
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -130 | U: -110)
NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls picks and predictions
Prediction
NYCFC 1, New York Red Bulls 0
Moneyline (ML)
BET NEW YORK CITY FC (+115).
The Red Bulls downed the Crew in the first round but managed fewer expected goals in both games and had fewer expected goals in 2 of their last 4 regular-season games. New York lost a combined 7-2 in its 2 games against NYCFC during the regular season and allowed at least 2 goals in 5 of its last 6 regular-season matches.
NYCFC came into the playoff on fire, having won 3 of its last 4. It went into one of the toughest environments in MLS and won. Despite having 0.9 fewer expected goals in that final Game against FC Cincinnati, it ended with 1.2 more during its lone home match of the 3-Game series. NYCFC has a more potent defense and has given up more than 1 goal in just 2 of its last 8 matches.
With that in mind, back NEW YORK CITY FC (+115).
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 2.5 (-110).
Both teams know what is at stake, and the defenses should step up in this one. New York City has been held scoreless in 3 of its last 4 games and has had 1.5 or fewer expected goals in 4 of its last 6 battles.
The Red Bulls have scored 1 or fewer goals in 7 of their last 11 games. They have 1.0 or fewer expected goals in 2 of their last 4. New York’s issues this season have stemmed from its defense, but it gave up zero goals to Columbus on the road in the first round. Expect a similar effort.
Back UNDER 2.5 (-110).
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