Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
As part of the regular MLS season, Austin will host New York Red Bulls at home. The match is scheduled for the night of Sunday, June 15, kicking off at 2:30 a.m. Central European Time. Here’s my betting preview for this clash.
Austin vs New York Red Bulls: Match facts and head-to-head
- Austin are unbeaten at home in five straight matches and have lost just twice in their last ten games overall.
- The Red Bulls have won their last four matches, scoring at least two goals in each of them.
- Out of their previous ten away games, the Red Bulls have lost six and won only twice.
- New York keeps a clean sheet in 26% of their matches this season, while Austin does so in 25%.
- However, Austin is shut out more often: they've failed to score in 25% of matches, compared to just 11% for the Red Bulls.
- Austin has the weakest attack in the Western Conference and the second-worst in all of MLS.
- The teams have met three times in history: one Red Bulls win and two draws.
Austin vs New York Red Bulls: Match preview
Both teams are teetering on the edge of the playoff zone in their respective conferences. Austin sits eighth in the West with 23 points after 18 rounds, just three points ahead of tenth place. The team's main issue is their attack: only 13 goals scored, the worst in the conference and among the lowest in the league. Nevertheless, Austin did beat Colorado Rapids 2-0 in their last outing.
The Red Bulls are also battling for a playoff spot, currently seventh in the Eastern Conference with 27 points from 17 matches. But the East is much tighter: the gap from tenth place is just two points, and only seven points separate second from tenth place. The playoff race in the East is set to be fiercely contested, making every point absolutely crucial.
Probable line-ups
- Austin: Stuver; Dæhli, Swatek, Hines-Ike, Biro; Bukari, Pereira, Sanchez, Gallagher; Wolff; Vasquez
- New York Red Bulls: Coronel; Duncan, Eyl, Hack, Valencia; Carmona, Edelman, Stroud; Harper, Forsberg; Choupo-Moting
Prediction
The Red Bulls are on a roll with four consecutive wins, but Austin have been solid at home. The hosts’ main problem is their lackluster attack—one of the weakest in the league. This could turn out to be a low-scoring affair. My bet is on total goals under 2.5 at odds of 1.69.
