New York Red Bulls are aiming to bounce back from defeat when they host Minnesota United in an MLS inter-conference clash. The Red Bulls will be keen to make their home advantage count against the visitors, who often stumble on their travels.
New York Red Bulls were held to a 1-1 draw at Toronto FC last time out in the MLS, with Mohamed Sofo scoring the opener before the hosts drew level. That was the second straight defeat for Sandro Schwarz’s men, who were also beaten 2-1 at Austin in their previous fixture.
The good news for the New York Red Bulls is that both games were on the road and they return to the fortress of the Red Bull Arena. They are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 home matches across all competitions, claiming seven wins in that run.
Minnesota United are coming off a victory, easing to a 3-1 home win over Houston Dynamo. They are now unbeaten in eight of their last 10 matches across all competitions and currently sit third in the Western Conference.
A little problem for Minnesota United is that they have been a bit erratic on their travels, with five wins and two defeats from their last 10 away matches. Eric Ramsay's men also need to tighten up at the back having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last three matches, conceding seven goals in that stretch.
How the bookies view it: Red Bulls to win
The bookies have installed New York Red Bulls as favourites, with a home win priced at 11/10 with BoyleSports. A victory for Minnesota is valued at 21/10 while a draw is set at odds of 9/4.
Head to head: Nothing to separate them
There have been only six previous matches between New York Red Bulls and Minnesota United, with both teams claiming two wins each and as many draws. They battled to a 1-1 draw in the last meeting back in 2023.
Players to watch: Sofo to step up
Sofo was on target last time out for his fifth goal of the season and could be the one to watch in the absence of the injured Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Emil Forsberg could also be worth keeping an eye on for the hosts and both men can produce over 1.5 goals at 11/10 with BoyleSports.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane netted a brace for Minnesota last time out and will be keen to maintain that run. Kelvin Yeboah has five goals this season and both men can combine to produce over 0.5 goals – available at odds of 1/3.
Probable line-ups
Top scorer Choupo-Moting is ruled out with injury alongside Cameron Harper, while Peter Stroud is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. Sofo and Forsberg should feature in attack, with Noah Eile expected to start at the back.
Hassani Dotson and Samuel Shashoua are currently out injured for Minnesota United while top scorer Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi is on international duty. Yeboah should lead the line once again, with Hlongwane providing support.
New York Red Bulls: Coronel, Duncan, Hack, Eile, Edwards, Edelman, Carballo, Sofo, Carmona, Forsberg, Morgan
Minnesota United: Speel, Gressel Boxall, Diaz, Romero, Markanich, Lod, Gene, Trapp, Hlongwane, Yeboah
Anything else catch the eye?
Minnesota United’s last three matches have produced over 3.5 goals, priced at 23/10 with BoyleSports. Over 2.5 goals is valued at 20/23 while BTTS YES is set at odds of 4/6.
New York Red Bulls have opened the scoring in four of their last five home matches (New York Red Bulls to score first – priced at 4/5).
GambleAware