Prediction Charlotte vs New York City 2025 – Betting Tips for Major League Soccer on 28/10/2025

Match preview: A heavyweight first-round MLS Cup clash in Charlotte

Charlotte welcomes New York City to Bank of America Stadium on October 28 in what shapes up as a feisty MLS Cup Round 1 encounter. The fixture carries real narrative fuel: Charlotte arrive in sparkling form, having stitched together an impressive run of results after a midseason wobble, while New York City have shown attacking punch across the season but come into this knockout tie with inconsistencies that could be decisive on the road. Home advantage will be a meaningful factor at a venue that can hold over 75,000 fans, and Charlotte’s recent results suggest they are peaking at the right moment.

Charlotte’s recent slate reads like a team hitting a gear. Three wins in their last five full-time results, including a 2-0 triumph over Philadelphia Union on October 18 where Kerwin Vargas was highlighted as the best player, underline a side that can grind results and win cleanly. The season-long numbers back that up: 13 clean sheets and 33 goals scored at home indicate a club that mixes solidity with goal threat. Their overall form summary shows eight wins out of their latest ten matches, a sign of momentum that is hard to dismiss in knockout football.

Tactical edges and key trends

New York City arrive with plenty of attacking volume — more total shots and a higher average shots-per-game across the campaign — but their away record and recent form expose cracks. A 1-2 defeat to Seattle in their last outing underlined defensive vulnerabilities at times, and their season includes heavy swings such as a 0-4 loss to Inter Miami and a 3-2 win in local derbies. That volatility contrasts with Charlotte’s steadier defensive output at Bank of America Stadium, where their goals-conceded-at-home tally is notably lower than many MLS sides.

Head-to-head history is fresh and reminds us that New York City beat Charlotte 2-0 earlier in the regular season, so the visitors know how to find gaps. Still, the immediate form and home clean-sheet record tilt the scale. Match odds reflect a tight contest with Charlotte slightly favoured by the bookies — the home win sits at 2.42, the draw at 3.40 and an away win at 2.84 — suggesting this will be competitive and likely tense into the second half.

Betting suggestion

Based on form, defensive records and home advantage, the most compelling single-market tip here is a 1X2 play: back Charlotte to win at 2.42. Their run of results, impressive home clean-sheet count and recent 2-0 victory over a top opponent point to a team capable of controlling a knockout match on home turf. New York City’s greater attacking numbers make them dangerous, but their inconsistencies on the road and recent loss to Seattle mean Charlotte’s steadiness is worth backing in a close affair.