The Hudson River Derby will see another chapter added to it when the New York Red Bulls host New York City FC this Saturday. NYCFC is currently sitting atop the Eastern Conference with 20 points, while the Red Bulls are currently in sixth place with 12 points. However, the Red Bulls have had the upper hand over the course of this series. They are 6-1-3 all-time and will look to pick up another win at home.
Don't miss the Major League Soccer action from Red Bull Arena at 1:55 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN.
MLS Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
New York City FC +239
New York Red Bulls +102
Draw +269
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
The Red Bulls are the favorite in this match, but it’s not like NYCFC will have to travel far. These two stadiums are just 20 miles apart. Additionally, although the Red Bulls have the advantage in the all-time series, NYCFC have had the better run of things recently. NYCFC is 2-0-1 in the last three matches.
Recent Form
Home has been good to the Red Bulls this season. The club easily won their first three matches in Red Bull Arena, shutting out Portland and Minnesota and defeating Montreal 3-1. However, they suffered a defeat the last time they played in front of a friendly crowd. They were simply outclassed by Chicago two weeks ago, losing 2-1.
They fared better in their last outing. For the first time all year, they picked up a road victory over the favored LA Galaxy. No one gave the Red Bulls much of a chance entering the match, but Daniel Royer scored in the seventh and Florian Valot made it 2-0 in the 49th minute. The Galaxy responded with two goals within eight minutes of each other and threatened to undo what the Red Bulls had accomplished. However, a handball in the box led to Kaku slotting home a penalty kick in the 84th minute to put the Red Bulls ahead for good.
NYCFC have been great all year. They were unbeaten in their first seven matches before suffering a loss at the hands of the Portland Timbers two weeks ago, but they responded with a comfortable win over FC Dallas last week.
David Villa made history for the club in the victory. He broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 36th minute with a goal that would turn out to be the decider. NYCFC was awarded a penalty kick after it was determined that Dallas had committed a handball in the box. Villa was able to convert on the chance and in the process scored the 400th goal of his career. In the second half, he added another to give NYCFC a commanding victory.
Key Absences
NYCFC will be without midfielder Ismael Tajouri-Shradi for this match. Tajouri-Shradi is dealing with a hamstring injury and has already been declared out by manager Patrick Vieira.
As for the Red Bulls, they are still a little thin at the back. Defender Kyle Duncan has been ruled out for the season after tearing his ACL, and defender Connor Lade will miss this match due to an ankle injury. Midfielder Marc Rzatkowski’s status is unknown due to an undisclosed injury.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
There are plenty of rumors swirling around Vieira. He has been linked to Arsenal since Arsene Wenger announced that he was stepping down at the end of the year, and the former Gunners midfielder would no doubt take the job if offered. Vieira has been great as NYCFC’s manager, but he won’t be able to resist the allure.
With all of that swirling around him, I doubt that Vieira has spent as much time as he normally does drawing up tactics. That will give the Red Bulls a better opportunity than they usually would, and they will grab a draw.
Major League Soccer Odds: New York Red Bulls 2, New York City FC 2
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