- New York City FC have won two and drawn one of their last three home games (all-competitions).
- Philadelphia Union have lost two and won three of their last five matches (all-competitions).
- The last two H2H matches were both won by New York City FC, including a 2-1 away win five months ago in MLS 2026.
NYCFC have been much better than Union so far
New York City FC and Philadelphia Union have both had disappointing MLS 2026 seasons so far, with the hosts sitting 11th with 26 points from 18 games and the visitors 27th with 16 points.
Nicolas Fernandez is the talisman for NYCFC with 13 MLS 2026 goals from 18 appearances, but they have been a lot better than their opponents this term with Milan Iloski, the Union's live wire, having managed just 10 from 18.
NYCFC have averaged 2.30 goals per game at home in MLS 2026, netting 23 times at Yankee Stadium, while the Union have managed 15 in nine games on their travels in this competition.
Opposing styles can lead to end-to-end affair
Pascal Jansen has made NYCFC a possession-based team since taking the reins in January 2025, waiting patiently to build up and looking to press at the right moments when they lose the ball.
Ryan Richter's Union play with a more aggressive, transition-heavy approach that involves high pressing and breaking fast after turnovers.
That should make for a game of possession vs chaos on Sunday, with NYCFC trying to impose their rhythm on the game and the Union aiming to unsettle the build-up and hit on the break.
NYCFC the likelier winners
With home advantage and a stronger record, NYCFC are the favourites with the bookies at 28/25, but the Union come in at 41/20 and the draw at 27/10.
That's because Philadelphia are in such terrible form on the road, with their MLS 2026 away record reading 1-1-7, and there's a big red flag there for anyone betting on the visitors.
The home side should come through and they have done so in two of their three home matches, but the odds are too tight for a straightforward wager on them and we're going to play it a little safer with NYCFC or draw and over 1.5 goals.
Iloski has delivered six of the Union's last 11 goals in the last five games and Fernandez has three of his 13 in the same period, so both teams to score at 11/20 also appeals.
