An important game in the MLS Eastern Conference sees Charlotte FC host the New York Red Bulls this Saturday (8pm BST). Eighth plays fourth with both franchise teams aiming for the playoffs after a positive start to the season.
For Charlotte, the start is a notable one as this is their first ever campaign as an MLS team. A good mix of youth and experience has allowed Coach Christian Lattanzio to guide his roster into mid-table and the hope is that they can progress further.
The Red Bulls are regular contenders for the post season and it has been a positive opening for the New York franchise. Respective league positions suggest that we might be in for a tight 90 minutes but what do the top British-licensed online bookmakers make of it all?
While there is a clear favourite in the match betting, all three possible outcomes are above the evens mark. RBNY carry the shortest figures and are available for the win at best industry odds of 5/4. Victory for Charlotte FC follows at a top price of 9/4 while the draw is out to a best of 9/2.
There’s no real surprise in those numbers. Red Bulls have the greater experience as an MLS unit, and they are fourth in the East. Charlotte are back in eighth but they do have home field advantage and that could be a factor.
As for the form guide, the NYRB have lost just once in their last five matches. In that time they have won two and drawn two while the solitary defeat came away to Inter Miami. Over in the Charlotte Camp, form is very mixed with two wins and three defeats in their last five.
Charlotte’s leading goal scorer to date is the Polish striker Karol Swiderski who has scored four times in 12 matches to date. For the Red Bulls, Patryk Klimala and the Brazilian Luquinhas have also found the net on four occasions each.
The two Polish players lead the way in the first goalscorer market with both Swiderski and Klimala available at odds of 11/2. The Charlotte pair of Yordy Reyna and Andre Shinyashiki follow with both men listed at 7/1.
Aside from Luquinhas, another player to watch could be Ben Bender. The 21-year-old midfielder has scored twice for Charlotte this season and is a tempting long shot at 14/1.
Among our regular prop bets, Both Teams to Score is available for Saturday’s game at 4/6 in most places. If you prefer taking the ‘No’ option on BTTS, this can be found at 6/5.
Total Combined Goals betting could start with a stake Over the 2.5 line which would return odds of 4/5 at most bookies. A push to Over 3.5 goals takes that figure to a general 2/1. Alternatively, if you are expecting a quiet 90 minutes, a stake Under the 2.5 line would give a return at best industry odds of 20/21.
We’ll round off this CLT vs RBNY preview with a look at some Correct Score suggestions and there may be some interest in the 1-1 draw which is quoted at a general 11/2. A 2-1 win for Charlotte FC is available at best odds of 11/1 while the same outcome in favour of New York Red Bulls is on offer at 8/1.
CLTFC vs RBNY Preview’s Betting Tips Verdict
We’ve seen a longer form guide but results in the last three weeks could offer a better indicator. The Red Bulls are on a two-game winning streak while Charlotte have lost each of their last two. The brand-new MLS franchise has also been involved in some high scoring encounters but we suspect that this will be a tighter 90 minutes.
New York have conceded just twice in their last three but those two recent wins both came at their home stadium. Away from those home comforts, we expect them to edge the game, but it should be a lot closer.
Under 2.5 goals looks to be the way to go: The trends suggest there could be more, but trends are there to be broken. Our feeling is that New York Red Bulls will claim the points but will find it harder as the away side.
NYRB to win a low scoring encounter is the betting tips verdict of this preview. It may not be the most exciting MLS game of the weekend but it can still be a profitable 90 minutes at the Bank of America Stadium. These are the suggested bets:
- New York Red Bulls to win at best odds of 5/4 with William Hill.
- Under 2.5 goals at biggest odds of 19/20 with Bet365 or BetVictor.
Matt Harris is a football writer for Just Bookies. Other sports in his portfolio of specialities include golf and cricket. Matt has contributed to innumerable large organisations and media brands. These include: Betfair, BetVictor, USA Betting & Unibet. 