Preview: FC Cincinnati vs New York City FC - prediction, team news, lineups

FC Cincinnati can maintain their narrow lead atop the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer with a victory over New York City FC at TQL Stadium on Saturday.

A narrow 3-2 win against the Portland Timbers vaulted Cincy into that top spot, while the Pigeons remained above the playoff line thanks to a 2-1 win versus Nashville SC.

Match preview

The Orange and Blue got off to a flying start last Saturday in Portland and ultimately did just enough to earn maximum points, ending a three-match winless run across all competitions.

That was their 16th triumph of the regular season, with 13 of those victories being by just a single goal, putting them a point above the Philadelphia Union for first in the conference.

Pat Noonan’s men are in the thick of a tight Supporters’ Shield race, as San Diego leading them on goal difference with seven matches remaining for both teams.

Cincinnati have lost two of their previous three league contests at TQL Stadium, but on Saturday can surpass their number of home wins in the competition from 2024 (seven).

If they can win five of their remaining seven matches, the Orange and Blue would set a new single-season club record, surpassing their previous best from 2023 (20) when they captured the Supporters’ Shield.

In the regular season, Cincy are unbeaten in their previous three home meetings with New York City, winning those last two outings by a combined margin of 4-0.

Despite a slow start to their previous match, NYCFC persevered, coming from a goal down after 10 minutes to collect three valuable points.

Four times in MLS this year, Pascal Jansen’s men have gone on to win a match despite conceding the opening goal, while claiming 14 points in that scenario.

Domestically, they have managed to maintain more consistency in recent weeks, unbeaten in four successive games, winning on three of those occasions.

Another win or draw this weekend would increase their unbeaten run away from home to four matches in this competition, making it their longest of the year.

New York City have gone on to win their last two league games when trailing after 45 minutes and have points in three of their previous five road contests in that position.

While the Boys in Blue have not won any of their previous seven competitive fixtures at TQL Stadium in normal time, they managed to eliminate Cincy on their home field in the opening round of the playoffs last year (6-5 on penalties).

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:

FC Cincinnati form (all competitions):

New York City FC Major League Soccer form:

New York City FC form (all competitions):

Team News

It is unlikely that Paul Walters will dress for Cincinnati due to a sore foot, Sergio Santos and Luca Orellano are dealing with leg issues, Obinna Nwobodo has a quad strain and Yuya Kubo remains doubtful because of an ankle problem.

Kevin Denkey, Pavel Bucha and Evander scored in the opening half against the Timbers, with the latter netting his 20th of the campaign, putting him one away from equalling their single-season MLS club record set by Luciano Acosta.

Four players were sidelined for New York City FC last weekend, as Keaton Parks, Thiago Martins, Malachi Jones and Nico Cavallo had leg injuries.

Andres Perea and Alonso Martinez scored in that victory against the Boys in Gold, cancelling out the opener early on by Jacob Shaffelburg.

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:

Celentano; Hagglund, Miazga, Robinson; Yedlin, Bucha, Valenzuela, Engel; Evander; Echenique, Denkey

New York City FC possible starting lineup:

Freese; Gray, Tanasijevic, Haak, O’Toole; O’Neill, Perea; N. Fernandez, Moralez, Wolf; Martinez

We say: FC Cincinnati 1-0 New York City FC

Both teams have plenty to play for at this stage of the season, but we are giving the home team a slight edge because of their experience in tight matches and the x-factor of Evander, who has been a proven difference maker all season.

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