NYCFC vs Charlotte FC Picks and Predictions: Home Side Notches Three Crucial Points

Two teams fighting for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference will do battle on Wednesday night when New York City FC squares off with Charlotte FC at Citi Field.

NYCFC have had a bit of a rebound after a rough stretch, going six unbeaten with five straight draws. They sit two points adrift of the last playoff spot in the conference, even on points with Charlotte.

With one less match played, Charlotte have a chance to pull clear of NYCFC and move into one of those playoff spots with a victory but haven't won any of their last five matches despite drawing each of the last three.

With both teams seeing victory-averse, will either side claim all three points? We look at that and more in our NYCFC vs. Charlotte FC free betting picks below.

NYCFC vs Charlotte FC best odds

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NYCFC vs Charlotte FC picks and predictions

These two clubs have met three times before, with Charlotte winning each of them. That includes a 3-2 win at home back in early May. In each of those matches, Charlotte have found the back of the net inside the first 10 minutes.

However, that win in May came in a period for NYCFC where they lost six of seven matches, almost all of which came on the road. Due to them not yet having a “home” stadium, they’re splitting matches this season between Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, and Red Bull Arena. 

This weekend’s 1-0 win at Montreal was an important one. It was their first victory in 13 away fixtures, and their goal was just the fourth that Montreal have allowed at home all season. More importantly, it gave them a taste of winning after 13 matches without a win.

During their six-match unbeaten run, NYCFC have been much tighter at the back. They’ve kept three clean sheets and allowed just four goals. While they’ve managed just five of their own, Wednesday will see them face off with one of the worst defenses in the league. 

Charlotte have allowed 35 goals this season — joint-most in MLS this season — and have conceded two per match in 10 away fixtures.

While they kept a clean sheet last week against Montreal, that was against a team that's scored just five goals away from home all season. In their previous three matches, they conceded a total of nine goals, with at least two in each match.

The visitors haven’t played in more than a week, and NYCFC have some momentum. They’ve lost only two of their last 13 matches at “home” — wherever that happens to be any given week — while Charlotte has won just three times away from home all season. While rest can sometimes be good for a team, I believe momentum is more important, and only one team has it.

I haven’t trusted Charlotte all season, and now their leaky defense has to deal with a missing starter with Adilson Malanda injured. For those reasons, I’ll take NYCFC to get the job done at home in what should be a tight affair. 

My best bet: NYCFC to win (-115 at PointsBet)

NYCFC vs Charlotte FC side analysis

We’ve already given you the NYCFC moneyline as the best bet, but Charlotte are a heavy underdog on the 3-way line with the price rising as high as +335 and the draw as high as +275. NYCFC opened at plus money in some places but were quickly bet down.

Santiago Rodriguez will be suspended for NYCFC after picking up his fifth yellow card at the weekend, while defender Thiago Martins continues to be out with a knee injury. In addition, James Sands is away on international duty. The rest of the squad will be available for an NYCFC side that has four wins, three draws, and two defeats at home this season.

Charlotte will be without Malanda on defense, while defender Hamady Diop has been out for quite some time. Charlotte have lost six of their 11 away matches in all competitions, with just three victories. Overall, they’re winless in their last five, with three straight draws. 

The first three meetings between these sides have all been Charlotte victories, two of which have come at home. Each of the last two has also been decided by just one goal. 

NYCFC vs Charlotte FC Over/Under analysis

You can get a solid price on either side of the 2.5-goal total, depending on where you go. While a few books have the Over at -140, you can still get it at -120 or better so shop around if you’re going that route. The Under is getting plus money with some books as well.

Betting the Under has been profitable of late for NYCFC matches. Just once in their last six matches have there been three or more goals, with three of the matches seeing no more than a single tally. Two have ended in scoreless draws and in fact, eight of their last 11 matches have gone Under, including each of the last two at home.

Charlotte’s defense has been a key reason the Over has been profitable in their recent outings. While their last match was a scoreless draw, the previous three saw 4+ goals in each. Away from home, there have been at least three goals in eight of 10 MLS fixtures, and they’ve conceded multiple goals six times in those matches.

Two of their three meetings have seen four or more goals scored and I’m torn on which way to bet this one. NYCFC are defending well of late, but Charlotte are bleeding goals at the back and that could lead to the Over on its own, especially with Malanda out. I’m going to stay away from this one, but I’d lean towards the Over. 

NYCFC vs Charlotte FC game info

NYCFC vs Charlotte FC key injuries

NYCFC: James Sands M (Out), Santiago Rodriguez M (Out), Thiago Martins D (Out). 
Charlotte FC: Adilson Malanda D (Out), Hamady Diop D (Out). 

NYCFC vs Charlotte FC weather

There will be plenty of sunshine in the forecast for Wednesday night. Temperatures at kick-off will be in the low-80s and will only drop slightly as the sun sets. There is a minimal chance of rain, and winds will be light with no impact on play. 

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