The New York Red Bulls and the New England Revolution may both be struggling recently, but the Eastern Conference rivals could put some life into their seasons and fan bases in a critical matchup this Saturday night. Which of these two teams gets itself back on the right track? Read on for a complete preview of this thrilling Saturday soccer showcase.
Wait… there’s more soccer to go around for even more weekend sports action. Check out the complete preview for the Chicago Fire vs. Seattle Sounders.
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New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution Preview
Where: Red Bull Arena, New Jersey
When: Saturday, July 11, 7:00 PM ET
Line: New York Red Bulls +316 vs. New England Revolution -138, tie +245; total 2.5 – view all MLS lines
Betting on the New York Red Bulls
Anatole Abang struck first with an eighth minute goal to put the New York Red Bulls ahead in their Fourth of July match against Columbus,but the Red Bulls conceded a pair of goals for a 2-1 defeat. It was their fifth defeat in their last seven matches.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]New York gets to head home to Red Bull Arena for its upcoming match against the New England Revolution. The Red Bulls have been stellar at home, going unbeaten in eight of their 10 matches across all competitions at Red Bull Arena. However, they’re just 1-1-1 in their last three home matches against New England.
Abang figures to be at the forefront of the New York attack having scored three goals in his past five games. He’ll be even more dangerous beside Bradley Wright-Phillips, who assisted in the opening goal during that loss against Columbus. Wright-Phillips is one of the Red Bulls’ best attacking forwards leading the team with six goals and five assists.
Having the lethal combination of Abang and Wright-Phillips up front should let the Red Bulls take advantage of New England’s leaky defense, which has conceded the second-most goals (29) in the Eastern Conference.
The Red Bulls have conceded just 0.9 goals per game, while keeping three clean sheets in eight home matches in the MLS.
The New England Revolution are in a rut, losing four straight matches. The Revs are winless in 10 of their last 11 in MLS play (1-4-6). New England most recently suffered a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of FC Dallas on the Fourth of July.
Lee Nguyen was firing blanks, failing to find the back of the net on three shots. Meanwhile, leading goal-scorer Charlie Davies with seven goals this season had just one shot in the match. Davies has now failed to score in three straight matches, but he can find his form against the Red Bulls. Davies scored three goals in the Revs’ two match set Eastern Conference Championship last year. He scored a brace in the match at Red Bull Arena.
But the Revs are without a key piece of their midfield with Jermaine Jones out due to a left groin injury. Jones was an effective mid-season acquisition a year ago. With the dynamic midfielder guiding them, the Revs managed to go 11-2-1 en route to making the MLS Playoffs and eventually the MLS Cup Final.
Kelyn Rowe and Scott Caldwell can step up their playmaking to aid in this match against the Red Bulls as well. Rowe leads the Revs with five assists this season, while Caldwell has three. But the Red Bulls have one of the best defenses, allowing just a second-best 22 goals in the East.
The Revs have won just one of their last 11 matches at Red Bull Arena.
Writer’s Prediction
Abang and Wright-Phillips score to lead the Red Bulls (+316) to a 3-1 victory.
