Nick Cushing’s New York City welcomed Phil Neville’s Inter Miami to Citi Field in MLS playoff action this week. The winners of this first-round fixture in Queens will go on to face Montreal in the Conference semifinals.
The Boys in Blue are fancied to make home advantage count, but the Herons will be no pushovers in the Big Apple. Read on for our New York City vs. Inter Miami prediction.
Matchup Preview
This playoff tie will be the third meeting between the two clubs this season and the seventh overall. New York City has dominated this fixture in recent years, winning five of the six meetings.
However, Inter Miami won the last one when they clashed at DRV PNK Stadium two months back.
Matchup at Citi Field
New York is the favorite on home turf, but anything is possible in the playoffs. Neville’s side is more than capable of beating City at Citi Field, though the hosts will fancy their chances of making home advantage count.
We have our New York City vs. Inter Miami prediction below, along with the latest MLS player stats and MLS picks.
New York City vs. Inter Miami Odds Breakdown
According to the latest MLS odds for this playoff fixture, New York City is the clear favorite to get the win, with the bookies offering just -154 for a home victory.
Inter Miami is the big underdog at +400. If you fancy this to end all squares in the 90, +320 is your best price for the draw.
New York City vs. Inter Miami Betting Preview
New York City
New York City was gunning for the Eastern Conference title before a ball was kicked this season, but they had to settle for third and a place in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs instead.
They finished a mammoth 12 points behind eventual winners Philadelphia Union. Overall, the Pigeons won 16, drew seven, and lost 11.
Seven of Nine MLS Matches
New York recently went five games without a win, taking just one point from a possible 15. They also lost seven of nine MLS matches.
Thankfully for them, the Cityzens have improved dramatically in recent games, winning three in a row at just the right time.
- Since a 1-0 reverse in Charlotte a month ago, New York has bounced back with consecutive wins over New York Red Bulls
- Orlando City
- Atlanta United
New York head into the playoffs as defending champions after winning their first title in 2021. They edged past Portland Timbers on penalties in the final after beating:
- Atlanta
- New England Revolution
- Philadelphia
Can they pull off something very similar this season? They have had one or two issues along the way, but New York has been solid at home this season.
They will be hoping to make home advantage count in this one and secure their place in the Conference semifinals.
Inter Miami
Inter Miami is in the playoffs for the first time in their short history. Neville has done a fine job with this Miami team this season, guiding the Herons to a sixth-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
Inter picked up 48 points from 34 games after:
- 14 wins
- 14 defeats
- six draws
Inter made sure of a playoff berth after a string of wins at the end of the regular season.
They claimed successive victories over:
- Columbus Crew
- DC United
- Toronto
- Orlando
However, they did lose at home to Montreal on the final day of the campaign. Miami has struggled for consistency away from home of late.
Neville’s Troops
Before the recent wins over DC United and Toronto, Neville’s troops had lost three away games on the spin and picked up just one victory from 12 on the road.
Despite being the underdogs, Miami has caused New York problems already this season, winning the last meeting between the two. Can they make it back-to-back wins against the New York outfit? Check out our New York City vs. Inter Miami prediction.
New York City vs. Inter Miami Pick and Prediction
Since Inter Miami began playing in the 2020 season, New York City has certainly had the Herons’ number. The first five meetings went City’s way, but Miami did win the last one.
It was an eventful game at DRV PNK Stadium back in August, with the home team edging a five-goal thriller.
Who to Bet On?
Both teams have been in patchy form since then, but New York is the favorite to get the win at Citi Field. When the pair battled at Yankee Stadium in July, Maximiliano Moralez and Heber were on target in a 2-0 home win.
We fancy New York to keep another clean sheet against Inter here, and our score prediction is the 2-0 home victory at the top MLS odds of +700. Also, back the hosts to win to nil at +175.
Final Score Prediction: New York City wins 2-0 over Inter Miami (+700)
Pick: New York City to Win (+175)
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