New York City vs. DC United – MLS, October 7, 2020

This MLS matchup brings together two teams battling at opposite ends of the Eastern Conference. A six-game winless streak has seen DC United plummet to the foot of the table, while a run of just one defeat in nine outings has put New York City within touching distance of the frontrunners in the division.

The two sides produced a goalless draw at Audi Field last month, but off-form DC is likely to find it difficult to get a result at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 7.

I assess the bookies’ odds before giving my New York City vs. DC United prediction and betting pick.

The top online soccer betting sites views New York City as the obvious favorite to win this game. Are you really surprised? I’m certainly not, especially when you consider the contrasting form of these two teams.

NYC heads into this clash on the back of consecutive wins, while the Black & Red has suffered three straight defeats. As a result, there is now a 12-point gulf between the sides.

It is no secret that New York City endured a tough start to 2020. Last year’s Eastern Conference winner lost their opening four games this season, so I believe Ronny Deila’s men must be given huge credit for the way they have turned things around.

Following a disappointing quarter-final exit at the MLS is Back Tournament, the Boys in Blue have barely put a foot wrong. NYC has only lost two of their ten game since the regular season resumed, with six victories coming during that period.

Alexandru Mitrita and Anton Tinnerholm have been the stars of the show recently. Mitrita has bagged a brace in each of his last two appearances, while Tinnerholm notched up two goals and an assist across the victories over FC Cincinnati (4-0) and Inter Miami (3-2).

Meanwhile, DC United can’t seem to end their barren spell. The Washington club’s sole victory since the MLS is Back Tournament came against New York Red Bulls at the beginning of September. But since then, two draws and four defeats have seen the team drop to the bottom of the standings.

Not only have Ben Olsen’s men lost their previous three outings, but they have also failed to score in that time. And to make matters worse, the Black & Red has been shown two red cards in their past three games, with Russell Canouse and Frederic Brilliant both being sent off.

DC clearly had some disciplinary issues, but the team’s defensive problems are far more concerning. Indeed, Olsen’s side was hammered 4-0 by off-form Atlanta United last time out, meaning only two teams in the division have conceded more goals than DC this year.

Due to the competitiveness of the league, MLS usually dishes up tasty odds. However, the gulf between NYC and DC is pretty vast at the moment, so the price for the home win is nothing to get too excited about here.

Having said that, the Boys in Blue have only lost one of their last seven games, while the Black & Red has lost their previous three. All the signs are pointing towards another defeat for DC.