Verdict: New York Red Bulls win
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Desperately seeking an MLS boost this weekend, New York will welcome Sporting Kansas City to the Red Bull Arena in the early hours of Sunday.
New York Red Bulls
Starting with the hosts, enduring what was a real Leagues Cup nightmare at the end of July as they failed to book a knockout stage ticket, New York have the feel of a squad seeking a crucial boost. While the Red Bulls might be breezing their way to another play-off spot this season, Sandro Schwarz has found some increasing pressure on his shoulders. Last seen putting in another worrying display as they fell to a 2-0 loss at home against Philadelphia, the former Hertha Berlin boss is desperately seeking a much-needed boost here. However, marking their return from the summer break with a 1-1 stalemate away at Charlotte, New York have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. It should also be highlighted, Sunday’s hosts have failed to record back-to-back wins since the start of June.
Team News
Dealing with a long-term foot injury since completing a summer move from German giants RB Leipzig, New York will once again be without the services of Swedish international Emil Forsberg this weekend. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this season, 21-year-old Roland Mitchell remains on the sidelines with a knee issue.
While ex-Inter Miami star Lewis Morgan might not have found the net in any of his previous four appearances, the 27-year-old should lead New York’s charge in the early hours of Sunday. Despite returning from a recent knock, Jamaica international Cory Burke will have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Sporting Kansas City
As for the visitors, while Sporting KC might be seeking a real miracle in the race to book a play-off ticket this season, the Wizards have claimed a recent boost. Booking their spot in the final of this season’s US Open Cup last weekend as they secured a routine 2-0 win at home against USL outfit Indy Eleven, Peter Vermes’ men do appear to have turned a recent corner over the past fortnight. Last seen in MLS action putting in a rampant performance as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp against Orlando, Sporting will be looking to spring another upset this weekend. However, although the Wizards might have recorded back-to-back clean sheets for the first time so far this season, they will be worried by a downbeat record against the Red Bulls. Including a 2-0 defeat when they last met Sunday’s hosts back in July 2022, they have won just one of their previous six showdowns.
Team News
Show a red card against Orlando last month, William Agada will miss out this weekend as the 24-year-old serves a one-match suspension. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this season and still sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury, Kortne Ford will not feature in the early hours of Sunday.
Finding the net against Indy Eleven last weekend and recording a first domestic strike since the end of July, former Derby star Johnny Russell could be handed a full MLS recall. Ex-Celta Vigo ace Andreu Fontas will partner Robert Voloder at the heart of Vermes’ defence.
Key Factors to Consider
- When New York and Sporting KC last met back in July 2022, the Red Bulls collected a 1-0 victory in Missouri.
- New York have lost just one of their previous six meetings against the Wizards across all competitions.
- However, Sunday’s hosts have remarkably registered just a sole victory from any of their previous nine matchups across all formats.
- Sporting KC have lost all of their previous three matchups on the road by an aggregate score of 8-2.
- Likewise, Sunday’s guests have lost nine of their previous 10 showdowns outside of Missouri.
Conclusion
Continuing on what has been a major rut, New York are desperately seeking some kind of MLS boost this weekend. While the Red Bulls might have clinched just a single victory from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions, they will be excited by a stellar record against Sunday’s guests. Including a 1-0 win when they travelled to Missouri back in July 2022, they have lost just one of their last six showdowns. With Sporting KC gaining a reputation for their glaring issues on the road, we are backing a home win at the Red Bull Arena.
Verdict: New York Red Bulls win
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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