New York City FC vs FC Cincinnati Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | MLS 2025

Will FC Cincinnati striker Kevin Denkey score another stunner at Citi Field?

New York City will welcome FC Cincinnati in their upcoming match of MLS. This Eastern Conference match promises to be exciting as Cincinnati are on top of the table and are cruising on a six-match unbeaten run. The “Knifey Lions” have collected 22 points in their 10 games, winning seven of them.

The Pigeons, on the other hand, are stuck in the middle just below city rivals NY Red Bulls. They are in ninth place with 14 points, having won four, drawn three and lost three. The club have alternated between wins and losses and have lacked consistency.

However the Pascal Jansen managed side has never gone down without a fight.

Speaking of their indomitable fighting spirit, their recent match with Atlanta United comes to mind, which they unfortunately lost (4-3). Despite leading (3-1), they ended up on the losing end. So the team will desperately hope for Lady Luck to be on their side this time around as they clash against such strong opposition.

Kick-off:

• Location: New York, United States
• Stadium: Citi Field
• Date: Monday, 5th May
• Kick-off Time: 12:30 AM IST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Ready to make some noise in Queens ⚡ pic.twitter.com/XcEfM4dY3n

— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) April 30, 2025

Form:

New York City FC: L-L-W-L-W

FC Cincinnati: W-W-W-W-W

Players to Watch

Alonso Martinez (New York City FC)

Alonso Martinez has been clinical for New York this season. The Costa Rican has scored six goals so far and is on course to replicate his previous year’s performance for the club. For the unversed, the striker had scored 17 goals in the 2024 season.

The 26-year-old is an instrumental figure in the New York squad. His stats speak for themselves. In his 35 appearances for the club, he has notched up more than 20 goals.

Ahoueke Steeve Kevin Denkey (FC Cincinnati)

Kevin Denkey is literally soaring high after winning the AT&T Goal of the Matchday honours courtesy of his stunning goal over Kansas City. The Togolese international threw his body in the air perfectly as he latched onto a Luca Orellano cross, giving Kansas goalkeeper John Pulskamp absolutely no chance to make a save.

Kévin Denkey is riding his bike to claim the @ATT Goal of the Matchday. 🚲 https://t.co/BYiVmKmZXH pic.twitter.com/75LFpHtcBa

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 30, 2025

This was in fact his second goal of the match as he hit a brace, helping his side win (2-1). Denkey is also the third-highest goal-scorer in the MLS right now with six goals.

Match Facts

• New York City FC haven’t scored in 0 of their 4 home matches in MLS this season.
• FC Cincinnati have lost just 1 of their last 5 MLS games against New York City FC.
• New York City FC score 1.89 goals when playing at home and FC Cincinnati score 1.86 goals when playing away (on average).

New York City FC vs FC Cincinnati: Betting Tips and Odds

• FC Cincinnati to win @3.20 LSbet.com
• Goals to be scored over 2.5 @1,79 PINNACLE
• Ahoueke Denkey to score +162 bet365

Injury and Team News

In the New York City squad, Malachi Jones and Jacob Arroyave are out with injuries

In the FC Cincinnati squad, Teenage Hadebe and Yuya Kubo are out with injuries

Head to Head

Total Matches: 17

New York City FC won: 8

FC Cincinnati won: 6

Draws: 3

Predicted Lineup

New York City FC (4-3-3)

Freese (GK); O’Toole, Martin, Haak, Gray; Moralez, Shore, Parks; Ojeda, Martinez, Wolf

FC Cincinnati (5-3-2)

Celentano (GK); Yedlin, Miazga,Robinson, Hagglund, Engel; Bucha, Anunga, Evander; Orellano, Denkey

Match Prediction

Cincinatti‘s current streak of form makes them favourites heading into this game. They have become an unstoppable force, and it will take a lot of resilience on New York’s part to stop them in their tracks. Irrespective of the odds stacked up against them, the New Yorkers have a habit of not going down easily.

“The City that Never Sleeps” will have to keep their eyes open for this one as the Ohio-based team means serious business. Even a slight lapse in concentration can prove to be lethal, and New York simply cannot afford that under their present circumstances.

Prediction: New York City FC 2- 3 FC Cincinnati

Telecast Details

All MLS 2025 matches will be telecasted on Apple TV worldwide.

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