Predictions and Best Odds For FC Cincinnati vs New York City FC

Matchday 28 will feature an Eastern Conference clash between home side FC Cincinnati and the visiting New York City FC. This game is a chance for both teams to get back on track following their losses in the previous matchday. The two Eastern Conference teams are set to face off on Saturday, August 26th, 2023 at TQL Stadium.

FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC Predictions and Best Odds on August 26, 2023

FC Cincinnati Current Run of Form

FC Cincinnati has been on a roll throughout the Major League Soccer campaign. They sit atop the MLS Supporters Shield Standings with a point total of 51 points. They are seven points clear and have an impressive 36.0 Expected Goals (xGoals), ranking third overall between both conferences. Much of that success can be attributed to their performances at home. Cincinnati has yet to lose at home in MLS competition, amassing an 11-1-0 record. They come into this contest having recently lost two back to back games. One on the road against rivals, the Columbus Crew, and the other at home with a loss against Inter Miami CF in the US Open Cup. Their league form heading into this match is currently 2-2-1, with the one loss being the aforementioned rivalry game and 1-2-2 if you include the Open Cup loss. 

New York City FC Current Run of Form

New York City FC is still figuring out their game plan with the arrivals of new faces like Argentine winger Julian Fernandez, Algerian striker Monsef Bakrar, and Norwegian center back Birk Risa. They enter this game with a recent five-game record of 1-2-2 in MLS play. While it’s not an all-too-bad record, but when you consider Leagues Cup fixtures, it updates their last five record to 1-0-4 across both competitions. New York has been in a rut. Their last win, a 5-0 victory over Toronto FC, might have given the team a sense of false confidence as they have failed to score since then. The team has been shut out twice in subsequent games.

Recent Head to Head

This will be the third time this calendar year that these two teams face off against each other. Their first encounter occurred on March 10th in the US Open Cup, where Cincinnati would win 1-0 with a goal scored by Brandon Vazquez. In their next encounter, New York’s lone goal at home would not be enough to stop the avalanche of Cincinnati’s attack, resulting in a 3-1 loss at home. They conceded goals to Luciano Acosta, Alvaro Barreal, and a penalty by Brandon Vazquez. You’ll have to go back to September 18th, 2021, to see the last time New York City defeated FC Cincinnati.

Prediction

FC Cincinnati will capitalize on the brilliance and moments created by creative attacking midfielder Luciano Acosta. In their last five MLS games, he has amassed the most xGoals and has produced the highest shot volume among anyone on the Cincinnati team. The absence of the suspended Obinna Nwobodo will be felt, but Cincinnati has the depth to compete with a New York City team that’s simply “going through a phase, mom!” The prediction for this game is a FC Cincinnati win at near even money, and for Luciano Acosta to score.

Current Odds: FC Cincinnati vs New York City

FC Cincinnati Moneyline -110 1u (Bet365)

Luciano Acosta Anytime Goal Scorer +200 0.5u (Caesars Sportsbook)