Prediction: New York Red Bulls vs Cincinnati

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

In what could prove to be a thrilling affair from the Red Bull Arena in the early hours of Thursday, New York will welcome Cincinnati to New Jersey in midweek.

New York Red Bulls

Starting with the hosts, managing to make an immediate return to winning ways last weekend as they claimed a lively 2-1 victory at home against New England, the Red Bulls are now hoping to find some much-needed stability. Still sat outside the play-off places in the Eastern Conference, Troy Lesesne’s men have recorded just a trio of their previous eight domestic appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to a 2-1 win against Montreal on May 20th. Nevertheless, while the MLS giants have shown some extended defensive issues this season, the former New Mexico boss will be excited by his side’s recent success on home soil. Including a stellar 4-0 victory against Atlanta last month, Lesesne’s side have collected seven points from their last three MLS appearances at the Red Bull Arena. It should also be noted, the midweek hosts have seen four of their last six contests in New Jersey finish with both teams finding the net.

Team News

Now missing each of New York’s last four appearances, the Red Bulla are once again sweating over the fitness of one-time Celtic starlet Lewis Morgan in midweek. However, still dealing with an extended knee injury, 20-year-old Steven Sserwadda will not feature in the early hours of Thursday.

Once again finding the net against New England last weekend and now notching three strikes in his previous three MLS appearances, 22-year-old Franuel Amaya will have a key role to play here.

Cincinnati

As for the visitors, while Cincinnati might have continued to gain a string of plaudits since opening the 2023 campaign, Pat Noonan’s side are enduring their own recent wobble. Now playing out back-to-back 2-2 draws against Charlotte and New England since opening July, the Garys are without a win from their previous five straight domestic showdowns. With their recent rut highlighted by a shock 3-0 drumming at the hands of DC United last month, the Ohio-based outfit have mustered just a sole MLS clean sheet since the start of June. However, despite being tipped as an underdog contender here, Cincinnati should be excited by an eye-catching record against the Red Bulls. Knocking New York out of the US Open Cup back on May 23rd, Noonan’s side have remarkably lost just one of their last eight meetings against Thursday’s hosts – a run that stems all the way back to a 3-2 loss at the Red Bull Arena in March 2020.

Team News

Missing out last weekend with a minor knock, Cincinnati are hopeful that former Nashville striker Dominique Badji will be able to make his return here. However, both away with the USA on Gold Cup duties, both Matt Miazga and Brando Vazguez are not expected to play any part in New Jersey.

Once again finding the net against Charlotte last time out and now notching eight goals in his previous 12 MLS appearances, the impressive Luciano Acosta will spearhead Noonan’s attack in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• Along with knocking New York out of the US Open Cup back on May 23rd, Cincinnati have lost just one of their previous eight meetings against Thursday’s hosts.
• However, including back-to-back 2-2 draws against Charlotte and New England, the Garys have won just one of their previous five domestic contests.
• Likewise, despite claiming a 2-1 win against New England last weekend, the Red Bulls have won just a trio of their previous eight domestic appearances.
• Cincinnati striker Luciano Acosta has notched eight goals in his previous 12 MLS outings.
• New York has seen four of their last six contests in New Jersey finish with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

In a contest that tends to produce fireworks, neutrals could be treated to a thrilling affair from the Red Bull Arena in midweek. While Cincinnati might have been forced to settle for back-to-back 2-2 draws against Charlotte and New England since opening July, the Garys should be excited by a rampant record against their Eastern Conference rivals. Knocking the Red Bulls out of this year’s US Open Cup back in May, Noonan’s squad have remarkably lost just one of their last eight straight domestic battles against an inconsistent New York. However, with each of their last four straight showdowns finishing with both teams getting on the scoresheet, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Luckster