New York City VS Colorado Rapids Match Prediction

Saturday's match will be only the second all-time encounter between the Rapids and NYCFC, with Colorado visiting the Yankee Stadium for the first time ever. The only time these teams have played before ended in a 0-0 draw last March, with Shay Facey sent off for the New York side.

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New York City FC v Colorado Rapids: Prediction

This heavyweight clash sees two of the best sides in MLS go head-to-head, but there is hardly any history between the sides to call upon when making predictions. The Rapids are on a long unbeaten run but their form has slipped of late, while NYCFC will want a reaction after losing the Hudson River Derby last weekend. There is a chance that the two sides will cancel each other out, but NYCFC have been piling up a lot of goals in their home matches recently.

New York City FC v Colorado Rapids: Betting Tips

Despite the Rapids' unbeaten run, NYCFC have been priced up as the clear favourites for this game, with the bookmakers offering odds of 11/8 on them to win, with Rapids at 9/5. The best value could be on the draw in the match odds market, with a price of 5/2 very appealing here. Over 2.5 goals looks to be a solid bet at 5/6, with both teams to score at 6/4 also appealing.

New York City FC have a number of players suspended for this game, with Ethan White, RJ Allen, Federico Bravo and David Villa all missing out as a result of collecting too many yellow cards so far this season. Big changes to the team are therefore likely to be made by coach Patrick Vieira, especially after the 4-1 loss to rivals New York Red Bulls last time out.

NYCFC still lead the Eastern Conference, however, and have scored at least twice in each of their last four MLS games at home.

New York City FC likely XI:

Saunders, Iraola, Brilliant, Mena, Pirlo, Lampard, McNamara, Harrison, Taylor, Hernandez, Martinez.

The Rapids are just three points off the top of the Western Conference table, but they have games in hand on the leaders FC Dallas, at this stage of the season. Dillon Serna and Sean St Ledger are among the Colorado absentees for this match, with the team undefeated in their last 15 matches, although they have only won one of their last four games.

Colorado Rapids likely XI:

Howard, Burch, Williams, Watts, Hairston, Sjoberg, Cronin, Powers, Azira, Doyle, Gashi.

NYCFC will be determined to hold off the Red Bulls\' challenge at the top of the Eastern Conference and that motivation could give them the edge to win, but Colorado have the carrot of claiming top spot in the Western Conference too. The game looks likely to be a close match and a draw is therefore perhaps the likeliest result.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in New York City FC\'s last three MLS games.