New York Red Bulls v.s. FC Cincinnati Betting Preview

FC Cincinnati has officially fallen into last place in the Eastern Conference ahead of Saturday’s home game against the New York Red Bulls. The Red Bulls are considered road favorites in the game with a +131 Moneyline while Cincinnati’s Moneyline is listed at +185. There is also a +245 Moneyline for a draw and an over/under of 2.5 total goals in the match.

Cincinnati dropped to last place after a loss on Wednesday to Toronto FC, which had been sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. The Orange and Blue now have just four wins in 26 matches this season. With eight matches left in the season, they are 19 points out of a playoff spot, although a strong finish could help them avoid a last-place finish.

As for the Red Bulls, they are very much alive in the playoff race, although there is a lot of work to do. NYRB played the Philadelphia Union to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, leaving them 11th in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind seventh-place Orlando City SC, which currently holds the final playoff spot. That gives the Red Bulls eight points to make up over their final eight matches of the season.

Red Bulls or Brick Wall?

Despite languishing in the bottom half of the standings, the Red Bulls have one of the best defensive records in MLS this year. They’ve conceded just 30 goals in 26 matches, which is the biggest reason why they still have a chance to make the playoffs. The Red Bulls have conceded just two goals in their last four matches, making them a tough egg to crack.

Obviously, there is a dire need for the Red Bulls to put the ball in the back of the net with more regularity. They are getting just that down the stretch from 22-year-old forward Omir Fernandez, who has scored in three of his last four appearances with the Red Bulls going undefeated in those games. Patryk Klimala is also someone to watch, as he leads NYRB with seven goals and is second on the team with five assists. 

Fading Fast

FC Cincinnati gave fans a glimpse of hope in mid-September with a 2-0 win over Toronto for the club’s first home win of the season. But it’s been all downhill from there for the Orange and Blue, who have lost four in a row since that game, including a 3-2 loss in Wednesday’s rematch with Toronto. The most concerning part of that stretch is that Cincinnati has allowed 13 goals in those four matches.

Even after receiving coach Jaap Stam of his duties right before the Toronto rematch, interim coach Tyrone Marshall didn’t have the answers for Cincinnati’s defensive woes. Even with the Orange and Blue earning a slight edge in time of possession, Toronto was able to create more chances and finish more chances. The only silver lining is that FC Cincinnati has scored five goals over its last three matches, which is a small step in the right direction.

Any Hope?

If nothing else, Cincinnati needs its attack to keep churning out goals. With the way the Orange and Blue have defended lately, this isn’t a game they can win 1-0. But if the Orange and Blue can break through the NYRB defense, this could be a high-scoring and entertaining game, even if it’ll be a tough game for Cincinnati to win.