Competence: MLS playoffs
Market: Wilfried Zaha more than 0.5 shots on goal
Odd: 1/2 @BetUS
Charlotte, two teams that will be desperate to reclaim their respective leads in the first leg on Tuesday night, will host New York at Bank of America Stadium.
Starting with the hosts, while Charlotte might have closed out September with back-to-back MLS losses, it appears that was just a blip for the Dean Smith camp. Closing out their regular season adventure with a well-deserved 2-0 home win against Philadelphia, the Crown have come back strong since their public summer meltdown. Starting October with a brave 1-0 victory away to DC United, the former Aston Villa boss will know the importance of getting a lead in the first leg here. Beginning their play-off adventure on Tuesday night, the North Carolina-based team has won nine of their previous 11 appearances in all competitions. Since that streak dates back to August 4, Smith’s camp should also be excited about his continued success at home. Including a stellar 3-0 win against MLS giants Inter Miami on September 14, Charlotte has won four of its last five domestic matchups at Bank of America Stadium. Likewise, the Crown has only suffered a single internal defeat against its own supporters since mid-May.
As for the visitors, while New York may have enjoyed a stellar flurry in September, the Pigeons largely limped to the finish line. Last seen closing out their regular season campaign with a disappointing 2-1 home loss against Seattle, Pascal Jansen’s team has certainly failed to find any sort of momentum over the last month. Hit by a nightmare 4-0 at the hands of Inter Miami last month, the former AZ Alkmaar coach saw his team lose three of his last four MLS appearances. Starting October with a toothless 1-0 loss in Philadelphia, Tuesday’s guests should also be worried about a nightmare record in North Carolina. After suffering a 2-0 loss in their last trip to Bank of America Stadium on July 13, New York notably lost their historic four trips to Charlotte by an aggregate score of 7-2. It’s also worth noting that NYCFC have only recorded a single clean sheet in any competition over the last two months.
Bet: Wilfried Zaha over 0.5 shots on goal vs. New York City FC 1/2 for Tuesday’s MLS play-off showdown @ BetUS
