New York City FC has never won the Hudson River Derby against the New York Red Bulls. City is 0-3 to show for its work in these matches without a single point, losing two of the three by multiple goals. The Red Bulls will hope to continue their dominance on Saturday afternoon in the Bronx.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
New York City FC +130
New York Red Bulls +200
Draw +210
Over/Under 2.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
NYCFC is certainly much more equipped to beat the Red Bulls this year than it was in its expansion season. New York isn't nearly as good as it was when it posted the best record in the league, and City has been playing significantly better ball under Patrick Vieira than it did in its rookie campaign.
That said, is isn't nearly a given that City is going to get the three points – or even a point for that matter. The Sky Blues are favored by a mere +130 margin, and they're only -300 to take at least a point in this match.
The total is a little lower than usual by MLS standards at a flat 2.5.
KEY INJURIES
Both of these teams are relatively healthy at this point. City is playing without Connor Brandt. Jack Harrison and Frank Lampard are both question marks as this week goes by.
RBYN is going to be without Damien Perrinelle for the long run after he went through knee surgery in November. Ryan Meara would love to get a piece of the team he was loaned to last year, but the Red Bulls' young keeper likely won't be debuting this season in this match as he recovers from a thigh injury.
LIVE BETTING
Though it's certainly understandable to doubt what New York City FC has done of late, it's hard to argue with the end result. Vieira has this team playing fantastic offensive ball right now, and David Villa is playing better ball now than he did at Atletico Madrid. These are the David Villa at Valencia days for sure.
NYCFC has won its last three matches, including taking these last two on the road against a D.C. United team which was in the Eastern Conference semis last year and a Portland Timbers outfit which won the MLS title a campaign ago.
The Red Bulls were beaten 2-0 at D.C. United last Friday. They've got a few really good results of late, notably beating FC Dallas 4-0 at home, but they also have managed just one point on the road thus far this season, that coming at struggling Orlando City.
QUICK PICK
The Red Bulls haven't seemed to find their form this year. Bradley Wright-Phillips only has three goals in 11 matches this year, and he's really struggling as much as he ever has at the club. His brother, Shaun Wright-Phillips? He can't even get on the pitch. He's started just once and has played in five matches. No goals. No assists. Nothing.
Villa has scored in three straight matches, and we fancy him to be on target again in this one. Throw in the great secondary play of Thomas McNamara and Khiry Shelton offensively, and you've got the makings of a team which is really playing in top form.
If there's ever a time for City to get its arch rival, this is the time for it to happen. This is going to be billed as the biggest match of the year by the NYCFC fans, and we have to think that's going to spur the Sky Blues to victory.
MLS Odds: New York City FC 2, New York 0
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