New York Red Bulls vs Charlotte FC Prediction & Betting Tips - Major League Soccer

Prediction published on 24/10/2023, 15:24  by Joseph King | Modified on 24/10/2023 at 15:53 in Major League Soccer Predictions

The Eastern Conference MLS Play-In sees eighth-place New York Red Bulls hosting ninth-place Charlotte FC with the winner earning a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. With the other seeding all set, the start of the postseason is waiting on the winner of this fixture. Whoever progresses earns the right to face Supporters’ Shield winners Cincinnati in the first round. The Red Bulls certainly left it late this season to finally turn things around but it’s better late than never. They spent much of the season languishing towards the bottom of the East standings before a run of four wins in their final five league matches. The result saw NYRB shoot up the standings and steal away the eighth-seed from Montreal. They left it so late that their three game winning streak to end the season was the first time all year that New York had won two consecutive games. Their most recent outing was a 1-0 away win over Nashville.

Similar to their opponents today Charlotte also benefited from a late season turnaround to sneak into the ninth-seed with 43 points. They were unbeaten in their final four games to end the year, three of which resulted in victories. Charlotte ended the season with a home-and-away doubleheader against Inter Miami. They would draw the first game away from home 2-2 before responding with a 1-0 victory at home in a make-or-break spot. It represents Charlotte’s first time making the playoffs in club history in the team’s second season. In order to advance to the MLS Cup proper, they’ll have to reconcile their poor away form. Charlotte managed to win just four of their away fixtures last season although ended the year with four points from the last six available on the road.