- New York City FC have won three of the last five H2H meetings in all competitions, including a 3-1 away win in the 2025 MLS Playoffs.
- New York City FC have conceded five goals across their four MLS 2026 home fixtures to date.
- Nicolas Fernandez (5 goals in MLS 2026) is NYCFC’s greatest threat, while Pep Biel is Charlotte’s top scorer with four strikes in seven league games.
An exciting East Coast clash between two inconsistent sides
Pep Biel is a Barcelona B graduate with an eye for goal and has made an immediate impact since moving to MLS side Charlotte, where he has scored four goals in seven MLS 2026 games. His goals have contributed to Charlotte’s solid, if unspectacular, start to the season, as they sit in 13th position with 11 points from seven games, just behind New York City FC in 11th.
The hosts have picked up two wins, a draw and two defeats from their last five. A 5-2 US Open Cup victory was the highlight of the week, while they also suffered a 2-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS. At home, however, they have won one, drawn one and lost one of their last three.
Charlotte have won two of the pair’s last five encounters, so expect a close matchup on Saturday. Dean Smith’s side have won three, drawn one and lost just one of their last five matches, including a 6-0 thrashing of 614318 and a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. Smith’s direct style of play has suited Charlotte well, since he took over in December 2023, instilling a vertically-minded, counter-pressing identity upon his squad.
Pascal Jansen’s New York City FC, meanwhile, are a possession-first team with a pressing and high-intensity style which dates back to his appointment in January 2025. Maxi Moralez has been the creative engine of the team in 2026, delivering five assists in his seven MLS appearances. Talles Magno, meanwhile, has found his groove recently, scoring four of NYCFC’s last 11 goals in their past five games.
NYCFC can edge a high-scoring clash
New York City FC are the favourites to win at 1.84 and I am happy to back them in the draw no bet market, despite the fact that this game has extra narrative following their 3-1 win over Charlotte in the 2025 MLS Playoffs. The hosts have been solid but unspectacular in their home matches so far, and Charlotte have drawn and lost once each away from home.
However, this should be a high-scoring game. NYCFC have averaged 4.0 goals per-game when hosting Charlotte, while the visitors have averaged 3.5 when on their travels in this fixture. NYCFC have conceded five in four home MLS 2026 games, so I’m backing Over 2.5 goals at 1.8 and BTTS - Yes at 1.7.
