New York Red Bulls are looking to maintain their playoff place as they host Philadelphia Union in an MLS fixture at the Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls do much of their best work at home and should have the edge over Philadelphia, who have struggled on their recent travels.
New York Red Bulls claimed a 2-1 victory over high flying Orlando City in their previous MLS fixture. They made a bright start and scored first through Cristian Casseres while Fabio struck the winner in the second half after Orlando had grabbed an equaliser.
Having been on the road in their last three matches, manager Gerhard Struber will be pleased to be taking a win back to the Red Bull Arena. They often do their best work on their own turf and head into Friday’s clash off the back of four straight home wins.
Defending remains a problem for New York Red Bulls, who have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven matches. They have also conceded four goals in their last three fixtures.
Philadelphia Union are coming off a 1-0 defeat at Nashville last time out in the MLS. They conceded just 68 seconds into the match and despite dominating the possession and creating several goalscoring opportunities, failed to find a way back into the contest.
Things appear to have gone south for Philadelphia, who are now winless in their last two matches. They are still third in the Eastern Conference but could find themselves further down the table if results do not go their way this week.
Philadelphia have found things difficult on their recent travels and are winless in their last three away matches. Jim Curtin’s men have also struggled defensively, conceding six goals in those three matches.
How the bookies view it
New York Red Bulls have been installed as favourites by the bookies with a home win priced at 24/19 by Vbet. A victory for Philadelphia Union is valued at 23/10 by the same firm while bet365 is offering 13/5 for a draw.
Given New York Red Bulls’ record at the Red Bull Arena and with Philadelphia Union often struggling on their travels, I am leaning towards a home win here.
Head to head
There have been 38 previous matches between New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union with both teams claiming 16 wins each and playing out six draws.
Players to watch
New York Red Bulls often spread their goals across the team but midfielder Cristian Casseres is the top scorer with four goals and is priced at 15/4 by bet365 to score anytime. Striker Fabio is also worth keeping an eye on in the same market at 7/4 with bet365 having found the net twice in his last four appearances.
Philadelphia Union will look to the attacking duo of Cory Burke and Kacper Przybylko with both men combining for seven goals this season. Bet365 has Przybylko at odds of 7/4 to score anytime while also offering 21/10 on Burke in the same market.
Anything else catch the eye?
Given the attacking quality on both sides, goals can be expected in Friday’s clash. Over 4.5 goals is valued at 6/1 with Paddy Power, over 3.5 goals is priced at 12/5 by Skybet while over 2.5 goals is set at odds of 19/20 by bet365.
Goals can be expected in both halves at 17/20 with Sporting Index while both teams could be backed to score in the second half at 9/4 with bet365.
This MLS match between New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union will be played on Jul 9, 2021 and kick off at 01:00. Check below for our tipsters best New York Red Bulls vs Philadelphia Union prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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