New York Red Bulls vs Minnesota United Tips, Predictions and Bet Builder

Minnesota United sit in third spot in the MLS Western Conference ahead of a tricky trip to New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

United are one of four teams involved in an intense battle for the top seed in the West, but New York Red Bulls have Playoff hopes of their own, as they currently hold seventh spot in a congested Eastern Conference.

There just four points separate Inter Miami in sixth from Chicago Fire in 10th, outside of those MLS postseason places.

New York Red Bulls vs Minnesota United Tips Summary

Market	Tip	Odds
Match Result	NY Red Bulls to win	6/5
Best Bet	Over 2.5 Goals	4/5
Bet Builder	Over 2 goals, Mohammed Sofo to score anytime, Bongokuhle Hlongwane over 0.5 shots in target	7/1

Key Match Stats

• New York Red Bulls have the best home record in the East with seven wins from nine games

• The Red Bulls' home games average 3.4 goals per game

• Minnesota have scored eight goals and conceded seven across their last three matches

• United's games average 2.7 goals per game overall in MLS

• New York Red Bulls have scored multiple goals in seven of their nine home games

New York Red Bulls vs Minnesota United Prediction

Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/5

New York Red Bulls' impressive home record suggests they can grind out a win here, but Minnesota are among the MLS Cup contenders this season and the better angle could be backing these two in-form teams to combine for at least three goals.

Both of these teams have been involved in some high-scoring games this season. The Red Bulls' home games average over three goals per-game - and they have scored most of them themselves with 23 strikes in their nine games.

However, Minnesota United score on average over a goal per-game on the road and they've only lost twice on their travels, so they can make this a tough game for last season’s MLS Cup runners-up.

Also, they should be able to contribute to the goals total, so backing over 2.5 goals looks the standout bet here.

Jack Ogalbe explains:

Going for the goals markets looks the best approach in what should be a close game. Red Bulls have given their fans plenty of entertainment in home fixtures, while United are in great goalscoring form.

New York Red Bulls vs Minnesota United Bet Builder Tip

• Over 2 goals

• Mohammed Sofo to score anytime

• Bongokuhle Hlongwane over 0.5 shots on target

  Pays 7/1

These two teams are predicted to combine for at least three goals and Mohammed Sofo looks like a good candidate to get on the scoresheet for the home side.

The Red Bulls will probably be without top scorer Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting due to an abdominal issue and Sofo may be the man to fill the void.

The Ghanaian has five goals in 12 MLS games this season and has four strikes in his last six across all competitions, including an effort in the 1-1 draw with Toronto last time out.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane starred for Minnesota in their 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo last time out with two goals and an assist.

The South African should at least be able to record a shot on target against Red Bulls, as Hlongwane tends to be fairly accurate, with 70% of his attempts this season either on target, blocked or denied by the woodwork.

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Jack Ogalbe adds:

Both of these teams are missing a couple of players, so others will have to step up. Sofo is a man in form and he can continue his hot streak by finding the back of the net against Minnesota.

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Tactics, Form and Team News

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Cameron Haper are injury doubts for RBNY, but Peter Stroud is available after serving a suspension.

Omar Javier Valencia Arauz won't be involved as he is on Gold Cup duty with Panama.

Expected New York Red Bulls line-up (4-2-3-1): Coronel; Duncan, Eile, S. Nealis, Edwards; Stroud, Edelman; Sofo, Forsberg, Ngoma; Morgan.

Minnesota have a quartet unavailable due to the Gold Cup, with Dayne St Clair, Tani Oluwaseyi (both Canada), Joseph Rosales (Honduras) and Carlos Harvey (Panama) all involved in the international tournament.

Expected Minnesota United line-up (5-4-1): Smir; Gressel, Diaz, Boxall, Romero, Padelford; Hlongwane, Trapp, Ho-yeon, Lod; Yeboah.

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.