Prediction: Tigres vs New York City

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Tigres welcomes New York City in the one-leg knockout contest from the North & Central America Leagues Cup quarter-finals, aiming to take an important step towards progressing to an incredible achievement by reaching the semis. The game will be played at Estadio Universitario, aka The Volcano, where over 40, 000 fans will push their favourites towards further Continental glory.

Tigres

The Clausura 2023 champions are looking for more international success in front of the MLS giants, New York City. Established as one of the most successful clubs in Mexic with 8 titles, the hosts reached new heights in the North and Central America competitions.

Although Los Tigres failed to win the most prestigious club trophy in the Southern Hemisphere, the Mexican side was close to lifting the Copa Libertadores in 2015 when they finished runners-up to Argentina heavyweights, River Plate (3-0 final score). Yet, despite this major heartbreak, Tigres impressed five years later by winning the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League and adding a prestigious runners-up position in the same year at the FIFA Club World Cup.

With a perfect start to their campaign by achieving the maximum points tally, Tigres qualified in the knockout phase as leaders of Group 11. Although the Mexican side faced the MLS giant Inter Miami, a win in front of Messi’s team (2-1) preceded by a success with the same score against Puebla sent Los Tigres into the knockout games.

Coming from an impressive output in the group phase, the hosts confirmed their status against Pachuca with their 3rd consecutive win that propelled the Mexican side to the quarter-finals. Although Tigres was expected to claim a comfortable win, the 65’th minute goal scored by Marcelo Flores was enough to progress further (1-0 final score).

Furthermore, the hosts found their rhythm in the Mexican League with a perfect start to their championship title bid. Four games in, Tigres are 3rd in the table (W3D1) level on points with Pumas and Cruz Azul, a series of positive results they aim to extend beyond the New York City game.

Team News

Serbian coach Veliko Paunovic is expected to dispatch an already-tested 4-3-2-1 attacking system attempting an early advantage in this knockout game. Still, former Olympique Marseille ace veteran Andre Pierre Gignac will spearhead the attack aiming to hit the target once more. The experienced striker proved capable of scoring against any opponent with his experience, strength and accuracy being a major threat to any defence.  

New York City

New York City failed to impress this season with results below expectations across all competitions. While the visitors are close to securing a championship play-off position in the MLS, reaching the North & Central America League Cup semifinals is unlikely.

The Pigeons lacked consistency in the MLS going from impressive wins to unexpected falls. While a five-week period in which New York City won eight games in nine MLS rounds brought the visitors back to the title fight, a sudden fall brought the NY side back to reality. Securing a pair of wins in the last two months across all competitions is one of New York City’s worst periods.

Furthermore, the domestic struggles extended to the North & Central America League Cup where Nick Cushing’s side reached the later stage by passing twice through extra times and penalty shootouts. Although the visitors had an easier path on this side of the board, the visitors knocked out Queretaro and New England Revolution to play against Tigres. The struggles on the road were obvious this term as New York City’s last win in regular time stems back from 26 May, followed by a sudden fall with four defeats and three draws, a pattern unlikely to change before the Tigres clash.

Team News

Left winger Malachi Jones will not play against Tigres. The young and talented Sierra Leone player broke his leg at the end of June and is not expected to return soon. More so, defensive midfielder Andres Perea joined the recovery room with an undisclosed injury.

Key factors to consider

• Tigres won the last five games across all competitions
• The hosts are 3rd in Liga MX, level on points with leaders Cruz Azul
• New York City failed to win a competitive match in regular time since 26 May
• The visitors lost both previous games played against Tigres

Conclusion

Tigres’ impressive progress in the North & Central America Leagues Cup, confirmed with a perfect start in Liga MX, positions the visitors to knockout New York City FC. Furthermore, with the fans behind Tigres at the Volcano, we expect the MLS side to crumble under pressure.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: ZetBet