Prediction: Austin FC vs New York Red Bulls

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: 888sport

Austin FC are set to welcome New York Red Bulls to the Q2 Stadium on Sunday evening (early Monday morning in Europe), for what should be a highly interesting clash between two teams positioned rather well in the two MLS conferences. It will also be the first time ever that the two teams have met in the competition.

Austin FC

Austin have all but secured a place in the Final Series play-offs, though they’ll still be looking to get around them by finishing top of the Western Conference. At the moment, they are second to Los Angeles FC, with a four-point gap standing between them. They are, however, 12 points ahead of Seattle Sounders in eighth place, the first to put its occupant out of the play-offs, and with five other teams (Minnesota United, Real Salt Lake, FC Dallas, Nashville SC and Portland Timbers) squeezed in between, it’s practically impossible for Austin to miss out.

Josh Wolff’s team have managed to maintain their excellent position in the table by displaying fine form recently, winning four and drawing two of their last six matches. They drew 2-2 at home against Dallas, beat Charlotte FC away by 0-1, won 2-3 away to Colorado Rapids, smashed Atlanta United away by 0-3, beat Houston Dynamo at home by 3-1, and eventually played another draw against Dallas, this time 1-1 away.

Team News

Players which Wolff probably won’t be able to call upon for this clash are midfielder Jhojan Valencia who is recovering from a knee injury, and left-back Hector Jimenez who is struggling to overcome a groin issue.

Diego Fagundez, who has eight assists so far this season, is set to pull the strings from the middle of the park again, with winger Sebastian Driussi representing the main goal threat from the left attacking flank along with Maximiliano Urruti upfront.

New York Red Bulls

New York Red Bulls aren’t as firm in their position for the Final Series play-offs as Austin are, but their chances aren’t looking bad either. At the moment, they are in fourth place with 33 points, seven more than Charlotte FC in eighth, with Orlando City (30 points), Columbus Crew (30), and FC Cincinnati (28) sitting in between. On the other hand, their chances of finishing top of the pack are extremely slim with Philadelphia Union leading it on 42 points, New York City second on 41, and CF Montreal third on 35.

The form of the Red Bulls hasn’t exactly been bad recently, though they did lose twice in their last six league outings, drawing once and winning three times. They beat Toronto at home by 2-0, lost away to LA FC by the same scoreline, beat Atlanta United 2-1 at home, beat Sporting KC away by 0-1, drew 1-1 away to Cincinatti, and lost 0-1 at home to city rivals New York City.

In the meantime, they managed to beat their city rivals comprehensively (3-0) in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup and are now set to take on Orlando City in the semis on July 28th.

Team News

Defender Lucas Monzon left the club earlier this week as his loan spell from Uruguayan side Danubio FC came to an end. Goalkeeper AJ Marucci is unlikely to be available due to a shoulder problem, while a foot injury continues to hamper attacking midfielder Wikelman Carmona.

Winger Omir Fernandez could be deployed as a ‘false nine’ again, which would leave striker Patryk Klimala on the bench, as head coach Gerhard Struber seeks to deploy a high-pressing style of play. Lewis Morgan should, on the other hand, have no problems starting on the right attacking flank as he leads the team with nine goals this season.

Conclusion

In this game, much will depend on whether the visitors’ press is effective or not. Should they frequently fail to win possession high up, they will seek to defend deep which would leave a large amount of possession and space for creation for Austin.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: 888sport