New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds
Get New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls prediction, betting picks, odds, and lineups for Friday's rivalry game. Read our analysis and top picks now!
Grayson Parker - September 18, 2026, 3:41 PM EDT
7 minutesNew York City FC vs New York Red Bulls Game Preview
Competition | Major League Soccer |
|---|---|
Game Date | September 18, 2026 |
Game Time | 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT |
Venue (City, Stadium) | New York, Yankee Stadium |
The Hudson River Derby returns to Yankee Stadium as New York City FC host the New York Red Bulls, with both sides arriving fresh off ending frustrating winless slumps in the standings.
NYCFC snapped an eight-game winless run across all competitions with a 2-0 road win at Real Salt Lake, Nicolás Fernández Mercau and Luighi supplying the goals and lifting confidence heading into this matchup.
The Red Bulls travel across town having ended their own slump last weekend, grinding out a 1-0 win at a struggling Columbus Crew to halt a stretch of four defeats and two ties in six outings.
City own recent bragging rights, having scored 2+ goals in 4 of 6 games against the Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, and this local grudge game carries plenty of momentum for both.
New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls Recent Results
City finally look settled after a rough patch, scoring on either side of halftime to beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 and end an eight-game winless streak in all competitions. Nicolás Fernández Mercau leads the charge, having scored in 6 of his last 10 MLS outings and recorded a shot on target in 9 of his last 10. Pascal Jansen's group sit 16th in the standings.
The Red Bulls dragged themselves out of a slump last time out, edging Columbus Crew 1-0 on the road to snap a run of four defeats and two ties. That result was badly needed for a side that ranks 24th for form and 19th in the standings. Finishing remains a soft spot, though Cade Cowell and Jorge Ruvalcaba give them a direct edge on the counter.
New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
New York City FC: Maxi Moralez (Injured/out), Kai Trewin (Injured/out), Talles Magno (Injured/out), Drew Baiera (Injured/out), Alex Farnós (Injured/out), Kevin Parks (Injured/out)
New York Red Bulls: Rafael Mosquera (Injured/out), Anthony Marcucci (Injured/out), Julian Che (Injured/doubtful)
New York City FC
City are managing a lengthy absentee list, with six players ruled out including Kai Trewin and Talles Magno. Even so, Pascal Jansen could roll with an unchanged starting XI after the strong showing against Real Salt Lake, keeping his in-form spine together.
New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls are in better health, with just Rafael Mosquera and Anthony Marcucci sidelined and Julian Che a doubt. Adri Mehmeti returned against Columbus Crew and starts again, Devin Padelford steps into the back four, and Cade Cowell is set to be recalled up top.
New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls Predicted Lineup
New York City FC
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Freese; Cavallo, Sands, Martins, Gray; Shore, Mercau; Wolf, Perea, Ojeda; Luighi
New York Red Bulls
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Starting Lineup: Horvath; Padelford, Bazán, Parker, Nealis; Mehmeti, Donkor, Sofo; Ruvalcaba, Hall, Cowell
New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls Key Stats & Game Facts
- The Red Bulls have received 3+ cards in 3 of their last 3 games vs New York City FC (Major League Soccer).
- Nicolás Fernández Mercau has scored in 6 of his last 10 games (Major League Soccer).
- Alonso Martínez has attempted 4+ shots in 3 of his last 3 games vs Red Bull New York (Major League Soccer).
- James Sands has been carded in 3 of his last 4 games vs Red Bull New York (Major League Soccer).
- Ronald Donkor has been carded in 3 of his last 3 games (Major League Soccer).
New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls Prediction & Best Picks
Our Prediction
Our prediction is a 2-1 home win for New York City FC. Jansen's side are the favorites at Yankee Stadium, carrying the momentum of their Salt Lake win and a more dangerous attack, though the Red Bulls have enough bite on the break to grab one in a spirited local matchup.
Best Picks
Back New York City FC attacker Agustin Ojeda to clear his line in the Player Shots market. In the Player Shots market, NYCFC are projected as home favorites and Ojeda is at the heart of their attack on the right side. With City expected to produce 1.81 goals at Yankee Stadium, the volume of attempts flowing through that flank makes him a strong candidate to clear his shots line.
Back New York Red Bulls forward Jorge Ruvalcaba to be booked in the To Be Shown A Card market. In the To Be Shown A Card market, this Hudson River Derby brings fierce intensity and heavy disciplinary scrutiny. Ruvalcaba's aggressive counter-pressing role puts him in harm's way consistently, and in a rivalry where the Red Bulls have picked up 3+ cards in 3 of their last 3 games against City in Major League Soccer, a yellow is firmly in play.
New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls Same Game Parlay
Our four-leg Same Game Parlay leans on City's firepower: Nicolás Fernández Mercau to score anytime, Alonso Martínez over 3.5 shots, Martínez over 1.5 shots on target, and both teams to score.
Mercau is the pick of the bunch as an anytime scorer, netting in 6 of his last 10 MLS outings and registering a shot on target in 9 of those 10 appearances.
Martínez to clear 3.5 shots looks solid given he has racked up 4+ attempts across each of his 3 most recent games against the Red Bulls, cementing his role as City's focal point up top.
Martínez over 1.5 shots on target complements the volume with accuracy, backed by 2+ shots on target across all 3 of his previous outings against this same opponent.
Both teams to score rounds it off, reflecting an open rivalry clash where both sides consistently create chances, and the Red Bulls bring genuine threat on the counter.
At the time of writing, this Same Game Parlay pays a best price of +480 and is as short as +297 elsewhere. Shop around: that gap works out to $18 more in your pocket on a $10 stake at the top price.
Don't leave value on the table. Compare prices across books with Oddschecker's Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.
Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.
New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls Talking Points
This is a heavy stretch for City, whose fourth game across a 14-day September schedule could test their legs even with an unchanged XI in mind. For the Red Bulls, it doubles as a landmark occasion: head coach Michael Bradley takes charge from the Yankee Stadium dugout for the first time in this matchup. Cards will be a theme too, given the Red Bulls have picked up 3+ cards in 3 of their last 3 games against City, so expect a chippy, physical derby where discipline could swing the outcome.
New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls Predictions FAQs
When is the New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls game?
The game takes place on Friday, September 18, 2026, kicking off at 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT.
Where is New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls being played?
The game will be played at Yankee Stadium in New York.
What are the probable lineups and team news for New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls?
New York City FC are projected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, though they are missing six players including Kai Trewin and Talles Magno. New York Red Bulls are expected to line up in a 4-3-3, with Rafael Mosquera and Anthony Marcucci ruled out.
What is the score prediction for New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls?
The pre-game analysis projects a 2-1 win for New York City FC, as both clubs look to build momentum after ending their respective winless streaks.
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