- New York City FC have won just one of their nine away games in MLS 2025, drawing four and losing four.
- Charlotte have won six, drawn one and lost only two of their nine home MLS 2025 matches to date.
- Charlotte have won two of the last four MLS head-to-head meetings between the clubs, NYCFC one and they have drawn once.
Direct v possession in key playoff battle
Charlotte FC and New York City FC meet at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday in a matchup that could determine how the Eastern Conference playoff picture plays out in MLS 2025. This Charlotte vs New York City FC preview underlines that Charlotte are having a tough season by their standards, sitting 17th in the standings after 21 games and with only 26 points in the bank.
But NYCFC are not so hot themselves in 11th place with 31 points from 20 games. The home advantage and head-to-head records suggest the hosts should be the favourites, but the Charlotte vs New York City FC odds are set at +103 with NYCFC +265 and the draw +290. That’s probably correct as it could be a very close game between two clubs that bring different styles to the game.
Dean Smith has been at the helm of Charlotte since December 2023 and has brought a pragmatic style of play to the club. They are direct and vertical, using Patrick Agyemang’s physical attributes to get at opponents and then springing fast breaks.
NYCFC, under the direction of Pascal Jansen since January 2025, play a much more patient style and try to work the ball through their midfield triangles at a slower tempo. The Charlotte vs New York City FC prediction is that they need to be patient against this Charlotte side and will need James Sands, who orchestrates the possession play and breaks up opposition attacks, to be at his best.
Tight midfield battle expected
Charlotte are winless in their last home game against New York City, which finished in a draw.
They lost 3-2 away to Chicago Fire FC 11 days ago and then battled to a 2-2 home draw with Orlando City four days later.
NYCFC have also had mixed results with two wins, one draw and two defeats in their past five MLS games.
They have failed to win either of their previous two away trips to Charlotte in MLS action.
Their last 2 MLS games saw a 1-0 away defeat to CF Montreal and a 3-1 home win against Toronto FC.
For those looking for Charlotte vs New York City FC betting tips, the clash of styles could lead to some close, tight play in the middle third with neither side liking to play at a frantic pace, but NYCFC’s possession could see the visitors make some quick transitions that might catch Charlotte out.
Adilson Malanda gives the Charlotte defense a solid anchor, but Mounsef Bakrar offers a bit more flair to NYCFC’s play and, with Hannes Wolf in form, the City players should get enough chances to score in this one. In our Charlotte vs New York City FC prediction, small details in midfield could swing the outcome either way.
Hosts have more firepower
Wolf has nine MLS 2025 goals from 20 appearances, five of which have come in NYCFC’s last nine games, while Pep Biel has scored seven in 20 appearances for Charlotte with three in his last five.
The host team have hit 19 goals in nine matches at their stadium this season and, with both teams looking to make the playoffs, we think both of them can score in this clash so the BTTS market will be the main play. In the Charlotte vs New York City FC prediction, NYCFC’s record on the road has been poor, however, so we will take the slight home edge that the +103 line affords.
