New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II Prediction: Preview and Betting Tips

New York City II welcome FC Cincinnati II to Belson Stadium in MLS Next Pro Group Stage action on 23 May 2026, with both sides looking to steady inconsistent campaigns. The hosts sit mid-pack in the Northeast Division, while the visitors are trying to halt a worrying away slump that has left them near the bottom of the section.

New York City II have taken 12 points from their first 9 matches, but a negative goal difference underlines how volatile they have been. FC Cincinnati II have 9 points from 10 games and are still searching for their first away point of the season, making this clash a key reference point for MLS Next Pro betting predictions and anyone studying New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II odds and trends.

With both teams averaging over a goal scored but also conceding heavily, this fixture has often produced drama in previous MLS Next Pro meetings. The question for bettors and fans alike is whether New York City II’s strong home record can overcome FC Cincinnati II’s historical edge in this head-to-head.

New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II Key Stats

• New York City II have 12 points from 9 matches with 11 goals scored and 16 conceded in league play.
• FC Cincinnati II beat New York City II 1-0 at NKU Soccer Stadium in MLS Next Pro Group Stage action on 13 April 2026.
• New York City II are averaging 1.3 goals scored and 1.9 goals conceded per match this season, while FC Cincinnati II average 1.2 scored and 1.9 conceded.

New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 6 vs 7
• Points: 12 vs 9
• Goals For: 11 vs 12
• Goals Against: 16 vs 19
• Clean Sheets: 0 vs 2

In the Northeast Division standings, New York City II are 6th with 12 points from 9 matches, built on 4 wins and 5 defeats. They have scored 11 times and conceded 16, reflecting a side that can hurt opponents but is also vulnerable defensively. Their home record in league play is encouraging: 3 wins and 1 defeat from 4, with 5 goals scored.

FC Cincinnati II sit 7th in the same division with 9 points from 10 games, having won 3 and lost 7. They have scored 12 goals and conceded 19, and the split between home and away form is stark. At home they have 3 wins from 5, but away from home they have lost all 5, scoring only 2 and conceding 12. That travel sickness is a major factor tilting this matchup towards New York City II despite the visitors’ slightly better attacking output over the season.

New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II Key Matchups

New York City II attack vs FC Cincinnati II defence

New York City II’s forward line has produced 12 goals across 9 fixtures in league play, with an average of 1.5 goals per home game. They have failed to score only once at home and typically spread their goals across the 46–75 minute window, where a large share of their strikes arrive. Against them, FC Cincinnati II’s defence has conceded 19 goals in 10 matches, including 12 in just 5 away games at an average of 2.4 per away outing. The visitors have yet to keep an away clean sheet this season, which sets up a clear opportunity for the hosts’ attackers to exploit that weakness, especially after the interval.

FC Cincinnati II late goals vs New York City II late lapses

FC Cincinnati II’s scoring profile highlights a strong threat late in matches, with 4 of their 12 league goals coming between the 76th and 90th minute. New York City II, meanwhile, concede heavily after half-time, with 11 of their 17 goals against arriving between the 46th and 90th minute. That combination suggests a key tactical battle in the final quarter of the game: if New York City II cannot manage the game effectively late on, FC Cincinnati II’s capacity to score in the closing stages could turn a tight contest.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

This fixture has been competitive in recent seasons, with both sides enjoying spells of dominance. New York City II and FC Cincinnati II have traded wins, draws, and penalty shoot-out deciders across MLS Next Pro clashes, often with plenty of goals.

• 13 April 2026: FC Cincinnati II 1-0 New York City II (MLS Next Pro Group Stage)
• 6 July 2025: FC Cincinnati II 2-2 New York City II (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 22, FC Cincinnati II won 5-4 on penalties)
• 9 April 2025: New York City II 2-2 FC Cincinnati II (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 6, FC Cincinnati II won 5-3 on penalties)
• 30 September 2024: New York City II 3-1 FC Cincinnati II (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 40)
• 7 July 2024: FC Cincinnati II 1-1 New York City II (MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 23, New York City II won 4-3 on penalties)

New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II Prediction

Recent head-to-head meetings show FC Cincinnati II have often found a way to edge tight encounters, particularly via penalty shoot-outs, and they also won the most recent league clash 1-0 at home in April 2026. However, the broader context of this match points towards New York City II having the upper hand. They are stronger at Belson Stadium, winning 3 of 4 league matches there, while FC Cincinnati II have lost all 5 away fixtures this season, conceding heavily on the road.

Form comparisons further support the hosts: New York City II’s last-five record is rated at 60%, compared to 40% for FC Cincinnati II, and the prediction metrics give the home side and the draw a combined 90% probability against just 10% for an away win. With both teams leaking goals and the advice leaning towards a “New York City II or draw” angle, a narrow home success in a relatively low-scoring contest looks the most plausible outcome.

Predicted Score: New York City II 2-1 FC Cincinnati II

New York City II League Form

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FC Cincinnati II League Form

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New York City II Possible Starting Lineup

B. Klein; K. Acito, Nico Cavallo, E. Martin, Maxwell Murray; Jacob Arroyave, C. Flax, Musu, K. Pierre; C. Danquah, E. Samb.

New York City II have a deep squad with multiple options in every line. In goal, B. Klein is one of several keepers available, while defenders such as K. Acito, Nico Cavallo, E. Martin and Maxwell Murray provide a mix of youth and experience across the back line. In midfield, players like Jacob Arroyave, C. Flax, Musu and K. Pierre can offer energy and ball progression, with attacking options such as C. Danquah and E. Samb capable of leading the line. With no clean sheets so far this season, the tactical emphasis is likely to be on proactive attacking play rather than sitting deep.

FC Cincinnati II Possible Starting Lineup

Fabian Mrozek; D. Hurtado, S. Lachekar, A. Lajhar, Felix Samson; Y. Ramos, M. Sullivan, G. Granda, N. Gray; Stefan Chirila, M. Vazquez.

FC Cincinnati II also possess a broad roster, with Fabian Mrozek among several goalkeeping options. Defenders such as D. Hurtado, S. Lachekar, A. Lajhar and Felix Samson are likely candidates to form the back four. In midfield, Y. Ramos, M. Sullivan, G. Granda and N. Gray can provide balance between ball-winning and creativity. Up front, attackers like Stefan Chirila and M. Vazquez give the visitors mobility and finishing threat. Given their poor away record and high goals-against average on the road, FC Cincinnati II may opt for a more compact shape, looking to strike on transitions and in the late stages where they have been effective.

New York City II Team News

No significant absences reported.

FC Cincinnati II Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

New York City II:

• None reported.

FC Cincinnati II:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Back New York City II in the double chance (home or draw). The prediction metrics assign 45% to a home win and 45% to a draw, with only 10% for an away victory, and FC Cincinnati II have lost all 5 away matches this season. (No odds available.)
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 goals appeals. Both sides average around 1.3–1.2 goals scored and 1.9 conceded, and the goal thresholds indicate that New York City II have gone under 3.5 goals in all 9 league games, while FC Cincinnati II have also been under 3.5 in the vast majority of their fixtures. (No odds available.)
• Value Tip: New York City II to win the second half. They score a large share of their goals between 46 and 75 minutes, while FC Cincinnati II concede heavily after the break, especially away from home. That late-game pattern could offer value in half-time/full-time or second-half result markets. (No odds available.)

How to Watch New York City II vs FC Cincinnati II

Broadcast coverage varies by region. General guide:

• Spain: Movistar LaLiga
• UK: Premier Sports
• Australia: beIN Sports
• India: FanCode
• MENA: beIN Sports
• South America: ESPN / Disney+
• Africa: SuperSport

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change.
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