Verdict: Philadelphia Union win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
With a play-off semi-final spot hanging in the balance, Philadelphia will welcome New York City to Subaru Park in the early hours of Monday.
Philadelphia Union
Starting with the hosts, making a real play-off statement earlier in the month as they stormed their way past Chicago, Philadelphia will be looking to collect another heavyweight scalp here. Despite signing off their regular-season adventure with a 2-0 victory away at Charlotte, Bradley Carnell’s camp have rightfully received a string of plaudits. Wrapping up top spot in the Eastern Conference standings, the Union have shattered a string of records this year. Signing off September with a dominant 6-0 romp away at DC United, Philadelphia find themselves pencilled in as a standout contender in the early hours of Monday. Winning five of their previous six appearances, Carnell’s high-flying squad have also gained a reputation for their dominance on home soil. Along with winning all of their last five consecutive showdowns at Subaru Park, the Union have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the middle of March.
Philadelphia Union Team News
Both still dealing with respective knee injuries, Philadelphia will once again be unable to call upon the duo of Quinn Sullivan and new recruit Ian Glavinovich here. Despite finding the net in three of his previous five appearances, one-time Aston Villa youngster Indiana Vassilev will likely settle for a spot on the bench.
Bagging a brace against Chicago last time out and recording his first MLS strikes since the end of August, Israel international Tai Baribo should keep his spot leading the line. Enjoying a breakout campaign this season, 21-year-old Olwethu Makhanya will start at the heart of Philadelphia’s defence.
New York City
As for the visitors, eventually edging past Charlotte earlier in the month as they secured a stellar 3-1 victory in North Carolina, New York will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. However, signing off their regular-season campaign with consecutive MLS defeats against Seattle and Philadelphia, the Piggies have once again struggled to find any kind of stability over recent times. Falling to a dreadful 4-0 drumming at home against Inter Miami on September 25th, Pascal Jansen’s camp are also searching for some much-welcomed defensive steel. Likewise, falling to a 1-0 loss when they last traveled to Subaru Park on October 5th, New York hold what is a worrying record away at their Eastern Conference rivals. In fact, the Sky Blues have lost four of their previous five trips to Philadelphia and they look set for another stern examination here.
New York City Team News
Not featuring since the end of May and undergoing surgery over the summer on a reported lower leg fracture, New York are still without the service of one-time Benfica youngster Keaton Alexander Parks. However, returning from international duties with the USA’s U17s, Maximo Carrizo could return to Jansen’s travelling squad.
Completing a permeant switch from Belgium outfit St. Liege earlier in the year, Australian international Aides O’Neill will start at the heart of New York’s midfield. Making an immediate impact since arriving from Elche over the summer and bagging a brace away at Charlotte last time out, Nicolas Mercau could play a leading role in attack.
Philadelphia Union vs New York City Key Factors to Consider
- When Philadelphia and New York City last met on October 5th, Monday’s hosts collected a 1-0 victory at Subaru Park.
- In fact, Philadelphia have won four of their previous five showdowns against New York on home soil.
- The Eastern Conference champions have not suffered a single defeat at Subaru Park since the middle of March.
- Including a 3-1 victory against Charlotte last time out, New York have won five of their previous six appearances away from Yankee Stadium.
- However, the Pigeons have registered just a pair of clean sheets from any of their last 13 consecutive away fixtures.
Conclusion
Storming their way past Chicago earlier in the month, Philadelphia are enjoying what has become a real domestic fairytale. Crowned Eastern Conference champions, Monday’s hosts will be confident of collecting another heavyweight play-off scalp here. Landing a 1-0 victory when they welcomed New York to Subaru Park on October 5th, the Union hold was a dominant record against their Eastern Conference rivals. Winning four of their last five home fixtures against the Pigeons, we are expecting a similar outcome in the early hours of Monday.
Verdict: Philadelphia Union win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
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