The third and final New York derby of the MLS regular season takes place on Friday night when the New York Red Bulls host their rivals New York City FC in a huge match in the Eastern Conference.
The Red Bulls will move right alongside the Chicago Fire in third place and perhaps just as importantly within five points of NYCFC in second should they win while Patrick Vieira’s men will go to within four points of leaders Toronto if they come out on top.
New York Red Bulls
Given the start to the season that they had, the fact that the Red Bulls go into this match in fifth place in the table is very much to their credit. It took them ages to stumble across a formation that suited them but now that they have they have risen through the Eastern Conference quickly and a win here could continue that.
I still think there is a flaky side to the Red Bulls and I guess we see that at times when they are on the road but by and large they are pretty good on their own patch. That said they are missing a few players for this one so they will be tested here as they look to avoid losing all three derbies this season.
New York City FC
Had it not been for Toronto FC having a monumental season, New York City FC would be getting many more plaudits than they are currently getting. It might be that their style, especially on the road, can be a little bland and unattractive, but that should not detract from their record of 14 wins from 25 games.
While David Villa is around they always carry a goal threat but I always think clean sheets please this side more and that is why they are usually quite hard to beat, and definitely why their record against the Red Bulls this season has been so good. I don’t see them changing anything as they head across the river.
Team News
The Red Bulls are going to be without Daniel Royer for this match once again. That is a huge blow given the form he has been in. Mike Grella and Aurelien Collin also miss out for the hosts.
New York City will be without Maxime Chanot after he had hearnia surgery recently but they have no other fresh injury problems other than that so they should be closer to full strength.
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Betting
New York City have won both the derbies so far this season. They won 2-0 at Red Bull Arena earlier in the campaign when the New York Red Bulls were struggling and then they won an excellent match 3-2 at Yankee Stadium earlier in the month.
I expect that to ensure the Red Bulls come out all guns blazing in this match and if they do we should get another cracking game of football, one which I believe can have more than three goals in it like their previous meeting. This is generally a high scoring derby and I expect no different here.
Tips
Back Over 3 goals for a 4/10 stake at 1.85 with BetVictor
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