New York Red Bulls and Charlotte do battle at the Red Bull Arena in their final regular game of the 2022 MLS season.
New York are safely through to the playoffs, but it has been a tough year at times for Gerhard Struber and his boys.
Charlotte will miss out on the top seven, as Christian Lattanzio’s troops are four points adrift with just three points left to play for. Still, can in-form Crown cause an upset in New Jersey on Sunday?
New York Red Bulls vs. Charlotte FC
New York Red Bulls have been in poor form of late, losing three of the last four. However, with the added incentive of finishing above rivals New York City in the Eastern Conference table, Struber’s men will be gunning for all three points on home soil this weekend.
Despite a brave effort at the end, Charlotte will miss out on the playoffs this year. Nevertheless, they have shown some superb form lately, winning three in a row before drawing with Columbus Crew in midweek.
Both MLS teams will be looking to finish on a high – check out our New York Red Bulls vs Charlotte score prediction.
Red Bulls vs. Charlotte Odds Breakdown
In spite of their bad form, New York Red Bulls are the bookies’ favorites to get the win on their own patch. In fact, they are odds-on at -175, while the draw is currently available at MLS odds of +333.
First MLS Solid Campaign
Charlotte have finished off a solid first MLS campaign in fine style, collecting ten points from the last 12 on offer.
The North Carolina club will want to extend that unbeaten run, though they are the big underdogs in this one at +450.
New York vs. Charlotte Betting Preview
New York Red Bulls
Red Bulls are in the playoffs after 14 wins, 11 defeats and eight draws. They have amassed 50 points from 33 games and are five points ahead of eighth.
MLS Standings
The Red Bulls can still finish above New York City in the final MLS standings, with City just two points ahead heading into the final weekend.
Metro’s form going into the playoffs has been poor. They won three and drew one of four before losing at home to Philadelphia Union.
New York bounced back with a 2-1 home success over New England Revolution but defeats to New York City and Columbus have followed.
Red Bull Arena
The Red Bull Arena was a tough place to visit from April to July, as the Red Bulls won three and drew three of six during that time frame.
However, since a hat-trick of home wins, Metro have taken just seven points from a possible 21 on home turf, losing four of the last seven.
After two losses on the bounce, New York will want to end the regular season with a win in front of their home supporters before an inevitably tough playoff tie. Can Struber and his side get the right result this weekend?
Charlotte FC
For a club formed just two years ago, Charlotte have had a fine year in America’s top tier. This was their first MLS season, and the Crown went close to securing a top-seven finish in the Eastern Conference.
They kept their playoff hopes alive with three straight wins. After losing three on the bounce and seven of nine, back-to-back victories over:
- New York City
- Chicago Fire
- Philadelphia
Put them back on track. However, they needed to beat Columbus in the rearranged midweek game.
MLS Schedule
Unfortunately for Lattanzio and his side, Charlotte could only manage a 2-2 draw with Crew, which put paid to any hopes of extending their MLS schedule.
Still, after falling two goals behind, the hosts did exceptionally well to get on terms, with Andre Shinyashiki on target in injury time to rescue a point.
After three wins and a draw, the North Carolina outfit would love to end their first MLS season on a high. As tough as it might be, Crown will back themselves to get the win in New Jersey and finish on 45 points. Keep reading for our New York Red Bulls vs Charlotte score prediction and betting pick.
New York Red Bulls vs. Charlotte Pick and Prediction
The only previous meeting between these two clubs went Charlotte’s way when the duo squared off at the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina back in June.
The hosts were by far the better team in that one, and goals from Benjamin Bender and Derrick Jones gave Crown a deserved 2-0 win.
Who to Bet On?
New York Red Bulls are the team gearing up for the playoffs, but Charlotte are in excellent form at present. Even though they are the underdogs, we fancy the away side to steal the points at the Red Bull Arena.
Both teams should get on the scoresheet, so our New York Red Bulls vs Charlotte score prediction is the 2-1 away win at the tempting MLS odds of +1600.
As for our alternative MLS betting pick, put some money on the Charlotte victory and both teams to score at +850.
Final Score Prediction: New York Red Bulls 1-2 Charlotte
MLS Pick: Charlotte Win & Both Teams to Score (+850)
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